PENDER COUNTY, N.C. — The North Carolina Division of Water Resources has recognized 79 water treatment facilities statewide, including the Pender County Utilities Surface Water Treatment Plant, for exceeding federal and state drinking water standards in 2023.

The division’s Public Water Supply Section presented the facilities the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award, an honor aimed at improving the performance of surface water treatment plants across the state.

The award highlights exceptional turbidity removal, a critical measure of water quality. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by particles that can interfere with disinfection and create an environment for microbial growth, including potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.

“We are deeply grateful for the hard work and commitment of the water treatment operators who successfully met the water quality optimization goals required to achieve this award,” said Anthony Colon, Pender County Utilities Executive Director. “Their professionalism and dedication are a true testament to the caliber of employees Pender County Utilities is proud to hire, support, and develop for the future.”

Although all public drinking water systems must meet stringent state and federal standards, the award recognizes systems that achieved performance goals significantly more rigorous than required.

In 2023, more than 3.6 million North Carolina residents were served by the award-winning facilities, underscoring the state’s dedication to providing safe, high-quality drinking water.

For more details about this recognition and Pender County Utilities' continued efforts, look forward to more information at future Board of Commissioners meetings.

Read the full press release from the NC Department of Environmental Quality.