When lower levels still require action
Pender County, North Carolina, draws drinking water from the Cape Fear River for a coastal community of about 70,000 residents. In 2017, regional testing detected GenX, a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), in the river system and triggered rapid regional scrutiny.
Early testing suggested Pender County saw lower PFAS concentrations than some neighboring areas, but county leaders did not treat that as a reason to pause. PFAS persist in the environment and regulatory expectations continue to evolve. The county made a clear choice to lead: build a program that protected residents and supported long-term planning rather than waiting for urgency to dictate the response.
Building a monitoring program the utility can run
In 2018, Pender County brought in Onterris to turn PFAS uncertainty into a sustained monitoring and decision framework. The objective was practical and focused on establishing a defensible baseline, tracking trends over time and using the data to guide treatment planning and compliance readiness.
Onterris supported consistent sampling and laboratory analysis and stayed aligned with local operations to reduce the burden on county staff. Over multiple years, the team translated results into actionable insight so Pender County could evaluate options with confidence and document decisions with a clear record behind them.
We kept sampling consistent, moved results fast and stayed aligned with plant operations so the team could make PFAS decisions without turning monitoring into a separate job.
Building on filtration that was already in place
Since 2012, the Pender County Surface Water Treatment Plant has used primary anthracite filtration followed by granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration. That foundation supported ongoing PFAS reduction and created a real-world platform for evaluating what additional technologies could add.
With monitoring in place, the county strengthened a repeatable process for trending results, documenting decisions and updating treatment planning. That operational discipline supported near-term adjustments and built the technical basis for long-term capital planning.
Advancing treatment without disrupting the process train
The program helped Pender County secure funding for a multi-million-dollar membrane water treatment facility targeted for completion by 2028. Instead of treating PFAS as a short-term event, the county aligned monitoring, treatment planning and compliance documentation into an enduring pathway that can adapt as PFAS requirements evolve.
Pender County continues to advance the work. With a newly awarded $400,000 government grant, the county launched a PFAS treatment evaluation study to examine additional technologies that could integrate into the existing process train. The study focuses on enhancements between the anthracite filtration stage and the GAC vessels so the county can prioritize upgrades that fit the site and deliver measurable protection for residents.
A practical blueprint for utilities facing PFAS
Pender County’s experience offers a repeatable pattern for utilities facing PFAS pressure. Start early, measure consistently and connect monitoring results to treatment decisions and funding strategy. This approach reduces technology uncertainty and supports capital and compliance planning as requirements evolve.