An Upstream Town Wants Our Water And This Is Why We’re Sounding the Alarm
There’s a new proposal floating around that could seriously impact southeastern North Carolina. It’s now time to show up for another fight.
The Town of Fuquay-Varina, located just outside of Raleigh, wants to permanently divert more than 6 million gallons of water every single day from the Cape Fear River, our primary source of drinking water. State regulators just released the draft Environmental Impact Statement and multiple towns, counties, business associations and environmental groups oppose Fuquay-Varina’s Interbasin Transfer request.
Clean Cape Fear also believes this plan would severely impact drinking water quality in our region.
PLEASE SIGN & SHARE OUR PETITION!
Here’s the deal:
Half a Million People Downstream Rely on This River
More than 500,000 residents across Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties drink water from the Cape Fear River every day. This river is our lifeline. It’s also been abused for decades. The Cape Fear River has been a PFAS sacrifice zone, meaning toxic forever chemicals were dumped upstream for nearly half a century, and our communities have been paying the ultimate price. The GOP controlled Environmental Management Commission and lawmakers have been unable, or unwilling, to control new PFAS releases, much less fully clean up historic PFAS contamination in our region. Make it make sense.
Low River Flow = Higher PFAS Levels
We’ve watched the data for years. Here’s what happens:
When the river’s flow drops, usually during drought cycles
PFAS levels spike at the water-utility intakes near Wilmington
Basically, concentration levels of these forever chemicals increase when the river decreases.
A strong, steady river flow helps our utilities filter out toxic chemicals more effectively (and more affordably). But if the Town of Fuquay-Varina removes millions of gallons a day? That’s basically turning the “easy” setting into “nightmare mode.”
Public Hearings… But Not for Us?!
The Environmental Management Commission is holding three public hearings in December 2025 about this major water-diversion plan. Unfortunately, none of them are anywhere near Wilmington. The closest one is a two-hour drive each way for residents in Brunswick, Pender, and New Hanover counties, the very people most impacted..
So we’re asking for something pretty reasonable: Hold a fourth public hearing in Wilmington. Let the downstream communities have a voice.
You Can Help — Right Now
We’ve launched a petition urging state regulators to add a Wilmington hearing so local families don’t get left out of the decision-making process.
PLEASE SIGN & SHARE OUR PETITION!
Your signature helps protect access to safe, clean drinking water for our entire region. Let’s make sure no one drains the Cape Fear River. Our communities deserve better — and together, we can demand it.