Another source of information for the Haw River is the state’s bi-annual 303(d) report to the EPA of “Impaired Waters”, for those not meeting water quality stan- dards. Reasons for the impairment can be specific, such as too much of a heavy metal or too little dissolved oxygen, but in most cases in our river basin, the listing is because of poor health of the aquatic organisms (water insects, crustaceans, fish etc.) that live in those waters. We are not given the cause, but only the impact. Thirty-three sections of streams or the Haw River covering 265 miles were on the 2020 NC 303(d) list. Most of the creeks are in urban areas, where polluted stormwater running off paved and built surfaces is greatest. Jordan Lake continues to suffer from too much algae, which is the result of excess nutrients from the Haw River and creeks that feed it.

The Haw Riverkeeper monitors for nutrients from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO), which are primarily poultry in our watershed. In 2021 alone, 75% of samples collected near poultry operations have exceeded the EPA recom- mendations for E-Coli for recreational waters. Poultry litter piles are contaminat- ing our streams through runoff and wind deposition. We also monitor for sediment violations when muddy waters are seen or reported to us. Turbidity and sediment deposits harm aquatic life, and degrade waters for recreational use. These violations are happening too frequently, usually from construction for new development, which is again booming in our region.

How healthy is the river for recreational use, fishing and drinking water?

Is it safe to swim? (Not always)

For swimmers the most important safety indicator of river health is the amount of E-coli in the water. Since 2019 we have been monitoring for E-Coli each summer and post the results on our Swim Guide App and on social media each Friday. A total of 119 samples were collected at 8 popular swimming sites along the Haw River and Jordan Lake during 2020. Twenty-three samples (19.3%) exceeded the EPA recommendation of 190 MPN. During each of the 15 weeks during the sam- pling period, samples were collected weekly, and bacteria levels suggested it was safe to swim at all sampled locations only 6 times during the sampling period. In general, E-coli levels rose after big storms sent polluted runoff into the river. This year we added more beaches at Jordan Lake – you can get Friday updates on all 11 sites we monitor on the Swim Guide app on your smartphone, https://www.theswimguide.org/get-the-app/ – or on our website (and FB, Instagram and E-newsletter).

Can you eat the fish? (Not everyone)

Fish consumption should be limited for fish caught in the Haw, especially for preg- nant women, and children. Unfortunately, all surface waters in North Carolina con- tain too much mercury, mostly from airborne emissions from coal-fired power plants, some far to the west of us. In addition, studies have shown that industrial contaminants in the river accumulate in some species of fish in the Haw. For the state’s Fish Consumption Advisory go to: https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oee/fish/advisories.html.

How about drinking water? (Not in Pittsboro)

Fortunately, almost all municipalities in the Haw watershed have drinking water reservoirs built on creeks that have increased protections, and many rural people have private wells. Only the Town of Pittsboro draws water from the Haw River to treat for drinking water – a huge problem as the Haw River has a long history of being contaminated by upstream industry, including the 1,4-dioxane and PFAS chemicals that are much in the news. Pittsboro is working to install upgraded treat- ment to remove most of these chemicals by next year, and HRA has brought legal acton to challenge the sources of pollution upriver. At the current time, we would advise not drinking the water in Pittsboro (or nearby developments where it is also used) without an in-house filter.