Understanding Water Pollution in the Cape Fear River

Modeling Water Quantity and Quality 

We conduct the initial assessment using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), an open-source watershed model developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The model accounts for land use, point source discharges such as municipal wastewater treatment, nonpoint source discharges or runoff, and weather conditions from 1979 to 2019. It looks at nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment going into the river to determine where that pollution originates and how it varies depending on weather and river flows.

This is a highly variable system—there are times when flooding and drought occur simultaneously in different parts of the Cape Fear. That complexity is reflected in the model’s findings. During normal flows and flooding, nonpoint source pollution accounts for 90% of the pollution going into the Cape Fear. However, during drought years, point sources can drive in-stream pollution. 

1. Use natural fertilizers: Runoff is one of the main causes of water pollution. Excess fertilizers applied to your backyard can be washed away to nearby streams when it rains. Fertilizers can also seep through the soil and contaminate groundwater.
   
   Use natural fertilizers such as compost, worm castings, and mulching. Compost is rich in nutrients and improves soil structure and fertility. You can make it with the organic waste from your kitchen. Worm castings are a nutrient-rich fertilizer produced by earthworms. Lastly, mulching consists of applying a layer of organic material, such as leaves and grass, on the soil surface. This helps retain moisture, stops weeds from growing, and adds nutrients to the decomposition process.
   
   
2. Choose eco-friendly cleaning products: Traditional products contain chemicals that are harmful to aquatic life when they enter the water system. These chemicals also affect water quality, which affects our drinking water.
   
   There are many “eco-friendly” products out there and it can be hard to know which one to pick. Here are simple ways to identify a good product:
   - It has a label approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
   - Biodegradable or plant-based ingredients.
   - Minimal packaging.
   
   
3. Dispose of medications properly: When medications are flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain, they can end up in our water systems. Wastewater treatments don’t remove all these medical components, which has a myriad of effects, including filtration of antibiotics in our drinking water and harm to aquatic life.
   
   Dispose of your medications properly by looking for local take-back programs. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which occurs twice a year. If take-back options aren’t available, you can safely dispose of medications in your household trash by following these steps:
   - Mix the medications with an unappealing substance like used coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter.
   - Place the mixture in a sealed plastic bag or container to prevent leaks.
   - Dispose of the sealed container in your household trash.
   
   
4. Run full loads of laundry and dishwasher:  Full loads maximize water use per cycle, reducing the total number of cycles needed and reducing the amount of cleaning chemicals released into the water system.
   
   
5. Support a non-profit with a water conservation initiative. Learn more about our work in North Carolina.

By implementing these practices, you can contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment right from your home. Remember, every drop counts!