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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — A recent contamination of the water near Wilmington by the chemical GenX has many people in the Cape Fear Basin on edge.
While no one in the 9OYS viewing area is impacted by this contamination, it does highlight a much larger issue.
Our economies can’t survive without access to clean water.” The recent GenX contamination in the lower Cape Fear River has people wondering how safe their water is.
“One of the big keys that I know we have here in the state and also on the federal level is that our regulatory agencies, those that are really in charge of protecting our water resources, are continuing to be under-funded,” Deck said.
The underfunding may translate to confusion for companies and consumers alike.
“We tap in to ancient, underground aquifers here in Onslow County that have no connection whatsoever with surface water or the Cape Fear River, the New River or the ocean,” said Hudson.
Riverkeepers agree that GenX is not the only thing people should be concerned with.
“It does require a lot of studies and information,” said Deck.
The agency did not indicate how long it would take to get answers.