North Carolina Is Spending $17 Million to Fight PFAS in New Hanover County, What Does It Mean for You in 2026?

Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Reid Wilson announced on March 5, 2026, that the state is directing $17 million in grants to address PFAS contamination in New Hanover County, according to a release from the Governor's office. The announcement was made during a visit to the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority's Sweeney Water Treatment Plant, which serves as a key part of the region's drinking water infrastructure.

While this news is specific to drinking water and wastewater systems, it's a reminder of just how widespread "forever chemicals" are in everyday life, not just in water, but in the products we buy. PFAS Authority's own scoring of 2,017 products found that 44% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, based on published ingredients, materials, certifications, and manufacturer disclosures rather than laboratory testing. If you're concerned about PFAS in your water, it's worth also looking at what's in your bathroom cabinet and closet.

What Did Governor Stein Announce?

According to the Governor's office, the $17 million in grants is intended to help New Hanover County address PFAS contamination through drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The Cape Fear region has been a focal point of PFAS concern in North Carolina for years, largely due to industrial discharges into the Cape Fear River, which supplies drinking water to Wilmington and surrounding communities. The Sweeney plant, operated by Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, has previously installed advanced filtration technology to reduce PFAS levels, and this new funding is expected to build on that work, per the state's announcement.

Who Is Affected by This Funding?

The grants are targeted at New Hanover County, which includes Wilmington and surrounding municipalities. Residents who get their water from Cape Fear Public Utility Authority or connected wastewater systems are the most directly affected. However, the funding also has ripple effects for the broader Cape Fear River watershed, since improvements to treatment infrastructure can influence downstream water quality for other communities that draw from the same river system.

DEQ has been monitoring PFAS levels in North Carolina's water systems for several years, and this grant is part of a longer-running state effort to fund upgrades at utilities that have detected elevated PFAS concentrations, according to the Governor's office.

Why Does PFAS in Drinking Water Matter?

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large family of synthetic chemicals used for decades in industrial processes and consumer products because of their resistance to water, grease, and heat. They don't break down easily in the environment, which is why they're often called "forever chemicals."

Scientific research has associated exposure to certain PFAS compounds with a range of health concerns, including changes in cholesterol levels, immune system effects, and increased risk for certain cancers. It's important to understand these are associations observed in population studies, not proven cause-and-effect relationships in every individual. The science continues to evolve, and researchers are still working to understand how different PFAS compounds, exposure levels, and durations affect human health.

Water utilities have become a major focus for PFAS remediation because drinking water is one of the most direct and consistent routes of exposure for many people. Investments like the one announced in New Hanover County are aimed at reducing that exposure pathway at the source.

What Can You Do About PFAS Right Now?

If you live in New Hanover County, you can check with Cape Fear Public Utility Authority for updates on treatment upgrades and current PFAS testing results in your local water supply. Utilities are generally required to publish water quality reports, and many post PFAS-specific data as testing has expanded in recent years.

Beyond drinking water, PFAS shows up in a surprising number of everyday products, often without any indication on the label. Our research has found some product categories where PFAS use is especially widespread. For example, in our own product scoring, 100% of the camping tents and tarps we scored (out of 20), 100% of waterproof mascaras (out of 16), 100% of ski and snowboard jackets (out of 16), 100% of rain jackets (out of 12), and 100% of waterproof boots (out of 8) failed our PFAS and toxin screen. These are categories where water- and stain-resistance are often achieved with PFAS-based treatments.

We've also found that certain well-known brands, including Dove, Cantu, Garnier Fructis, Amazon Basics, Verb, Clinique, KitchenAid, and Vanicream, disclose nothing publicly about whether their products contain PFAS, which makes it harder for consumers to make informed choices.

If you want to reduce your household's PFAS exposure from products, you can use our product finder to search specific items and brands, and check out our methodology page to understand exactly how we score products, based on publicly available ingredient lists, material disclosures, and third-party certifications, not independent lab testing.

Bottom Line

North Carolina's $17 million investment in New Hanover County is a meaningful step toward reducing PFAS in drinking water for a region that has dealt with contamination concerns for years. But water infrastructure is only one piece of the PFAS puzzle. Everyday products, from rain jackets to mascara, remain a significant and largely unregulated source of exposure. Staying informed about both your local water quality and the products you buy is the most practical way to reduce your PFAS exposure today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this grant mean New Hanover County's water is now PFAS-free?

No. The Governor's office described this funding as supporting ongoing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements, not a guarantee that PFAS levels have reached zero. Residents should continue checking utility reports for current data.

Is my area affected if I don't live in New Hanover County?

This specific grant targets New Hanover County, but PFAS contamination and treatment funding efforts are ongoing across North Carolina and many other states. Check with your local water utility for PFAS-specific testing results.

How can I tell if a product I own contains PFAS?

Many brands don't disclose PFAS use on labels. You can search specific products using our product finder, which reflects scoring based on published ingredients, materials, and certifications rather than lab tests.