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Carolina Housing

Water Health and Safety

The main UNC-Chapel Hill campus receives its tap water from the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA). OWASA’s water supply originates as rainfall within the Cane Creek and University Lake watersheds.

Filtered Water Stations

Lead filters are being added to one fountain/bottle filler per building.  This project is almost complete and all upfitted units are identified by “Filtered Water” labels.

In residence halls that are currently undergoing testing or came back with detectable levels of lead, we have implemented additional filtered water stations to ensure every resident has access to filtered water. Refer to the list below to see if your hall has a filtered water station, and where you can locate it.

Water Filter Locations

Alderman: 

  • First floor near 114

Avery:

  • First floor

Cobb:

  • First floor near 131

Eringhaus:

  • First floor 

Morrison:

  • First floor near 110

Stacy:

  • First floor Hallway

Spencer:

  • First floor near 101
  • First floor near 106
  • Second floor near 211
  • Second floor near 226
  • Third floor near 313
  • Third floor near 327
  • Fourth floor near 403

 

Water Filter Specifications

As of Spring 2023, we have imlpemented new water filters to drinking water sources.

Under sink: Frizzlife MK99 filter (https://www.frizzlife.com/products/mk99)

·  NSF 42: NSF ANSI Standard 42 filters are certified as meeting the requirements for the reduction of aesthetic impurities such as chlorine and taste/odor.

·  NSF 53: NSF ANSI Standard 53 filers are certified as meeting the requirements for the reduction of certain contaminants in drinking water, including asbestos bacteria, cryptosporidium oocysts, radon, lead, mercury, and VOCs.

Fountain/Bottle Filler: Elkay EWF172 filter (https://www.elkay.com/products/details/ewf172)

·  NSF 372: NSF ANSI Standard 372 filters are certified as meeting a weighted average lead content of ≤0.25% when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and plumbing fixtures that come into contact with the drinking water.

·  NSF 42: NSF ANSI Standard 42 filters are certified as meeting the requirements for the reduction of aesthetic impurities such as chlorine and taste/odor.

·  NSF 53: NSF ANSI Standard 53 filters are certified to meet the requirements for the reduction of certain contaminants in drinking water, including asbestos bacteria, cryptosporidium oocysts, radon, lead, mercury, and VOCs.

Water Testing Process

In Fall of 2022, UNC-Chapel Hill became aware of elevated levels of lead in some of the drinking water fixtures across campus, both residential and non-residential. Since then, the University has been tirelessly testing and remediating drinking water fixtures on campus. For the latest updates on this on-going process, please visit the EHS website.

Water Safety By Residence Hall

Alderman

Alderman had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one fountain that tested with a low lead level. It has been turned off until it can be filtered or replaced and then re-tested. 

  A filtered water station is located at the following location:

  • 1st floor near 114

Alexander

Alexander has recieved the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Avery

Avery had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one fountain and one common area kitchen faucet that tested with a low lead level. The fountain has been turned off until it can be filtered or replaced and then retested. The faucet has been replaced, but still needs testing before being put back into service.

As we resolve this problem, a filtered water station has been added at the following location:

  • First floor

Baity Hill

Baity Hill testing has begun and will be completed this semester. Thus far, Houses 1101, 1351, 1401, 1501, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000 have recieved the test results of “non-detect”. House 1600 is still awaiting results. 

Carmichael

Carmichael has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Cobb

Cobb had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except two fountains that tested with low lead levels. They have been turned off until they can be filtered or replaced and then retested. 

As we resolve this problem, a filtered water station has been added at the following location:

  • First floor near 131

Connor

Connor has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Craige

­Craige had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except three common kitchen faucets and two apartment faucets had low lead levelsThey are currently turned off awaiting flushing and retesting.

 

Craige North

Craige North has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Eringhaus

­Ehringhaus had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except two guest apartment kitchen faucets and one common area kitchen faucet with low lead levels. The faucets have been replaced in the apartments.  One has been retested, confirmed non-detect, and returned to service.  The other along with the commons kitchen has been addressed, retested, and awaiting results.

As we resolve this problem, a filtered water station has been added at the following location:

  • First Floor

Everett

Everett has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Graham

Graham had “non-detect” for all fixtures except one guest apartment had a low level.  The faucet was addressed, retested, confirmed non-detect, and returned to service.

Grimes

Grimes has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Hardin

Hardin has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Hinton James

Hinton James had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except three apartment kitchen faucets, four bottle fillers, and one fountain had low lead levels. The fountain and bottle filler have been turned off until they can be filtered or replaced and then retested. One faucet has been addressed, retested to confirm non-detect, and put back into service.  The others have been addressed, retested, and awaiting results.

 

Horton

Horton had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except the breakroom faucet had a low lead levelIt has been addressed, retested, and awaiting results. 

 

Joyner

Joyner has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Kenan

Kenan has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Koury

Koury had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except the breakroom faucet had a low lead levelIt has been addressed, re-tested to confirm non-detect, and put back into service. 

 

Lewis

Lewis has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Mangum

Mangum has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Manly

Manly had “non-detect” for all fixtures except one guest apartment had a low level.  The faucet was addressed, retested, confirmed non-detect, and returned to service.

 

McClinton

McClinton has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

McIver

McIver Hall has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Morrison

­Morrison had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one fountain that tested with a low lead level.  It was reflushed, retested, confirmed non-detect, and was returned to service.

 A filtered water station has been added at the following location:

  • First floor near 110

Old East

Old East has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Old West

Old West had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one guest apartment kitchen faucet had a low lead levelIt will be addressed once the kitchen renovation is complete. 

 

Parker

Parker has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Ram Village 1

Ram Village 1 has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Ram Village 2

Ram Village 2 has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Ram Village 3

Ram Village 3 has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Taylor(Ram Village 4)

Taylor had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except two student apartment kitchen faucets had low lead levels. They have been addressed, retested, and awaiting results.

 

Ram Village 5

Ram Village 5 has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Stacy

Stacy had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one fountain that tested with a low lead level. It has been turned off until it can be filtered or replaced and then retested.

As we resolve this problem, a filtered water station has been added at the following location:

  • 1st floor hallway

Spencer

Spencer had numerous positive results and the University is investigating the cause and determining a permanent solution.  In the meantime, lead filters have been installed on all fountains/bottle fillers, kitchen sinks, and many bathroom sinks. Additionally, water dispensers will remain in place until the permanent solution is complete.

Filtered water stations can be found at the following locations:

  • 1st floor near 101
  • 1st floor near 108
  • 2nd floor near 211
  • 2nd floor near 226
  • 3rd floor near 313
  • 3rd floor near 327
  • 4th floor near 403

Teague

Teague has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Thomas Ruffin Jr.

Thomas Ruffin Jr. Hall has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

Winston

Winston Hall has received the test result of "non-detect", meaning there are no detectable amounts of lead present in any water source in the building.

*If you would like more detailed information on the exact test results for each building, please visit https://ehs.unc.edu/topics/campus-drinking-water/drinking-water-testing-results/

Water Testing Updates

January 11, 2023

Dear Resident,

Welcome back to campus!  We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable break. As a follow-up to the campuswide update, we wanted to provide a status report on all on-campus residential buildings.

Scope of testing: all kitchen faucets (in common areas and apartment kitchens), fountains, and bottle fillers were flushed and tested.

Progress:  Between October 2022 and January 2023, flushing and testing was completed in all but one residential community. 

The only community remaining is Baity Hill where testing has begun and will be completed this semester. Thus far, 12 apartments have been tested with all resulting as “non-detect”.

Results:

The following 24 buildings were “non-detect” for all fixtures in the building:

 

Alexander

Carmichael

Connor

Craige North

Everett

Graham

Grimes

Hardin

Joyner

Kenan

Lewis

Mangum

Manly

McClinton

McIver

Old East

Parker

Ram Village Five

Ram Village One

Ram Village Three

Ram Village Two

Ruffin Jr.

Teague

Winston

 


The following 13 buildings showed at least one fixture with detectable lead:

Alderman had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one fountain that tested with a low lead level. It has been turned off until it can be filtered or replaced and then re-tested. 

­Avery had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one fountain and one common area kitchen faucet that tested with a low lead level. The fountain has been turned off until it can be filtered or replaced and then retested. The faucet has been replaced, but still needs testing before being put back into service.

­Cobb had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except two fountains that tested with low lead levels. They have been turned off until they can be filtered or replaced and then retested. 

­Craige had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except three common kitchen faucets and two apartment faucets had low lead levels. They are currently turned off awaiting flushing and retesting.

­Ehringhaus had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except two guest apartment kitchen faucets and one common area kitchen faucet with low lead levels. The faucets have been replaced in the apartments.  One has been retested, confirmed non-detect, and returned to service.  The other along with the commons kitchen has been addressed, retested, and awaiting results.

 

Graham had “non-detect” for all fixtures except one guest apartment had a low level.  The faucet was addressed, retested, confirmed non-detect, and returned to service.

­Hinton James had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except three apartment kitchen faucets, four bottle fillers, and one fountain had low lead levels. The fountain and bottle filler have been turned off until they can be filtered or replaced and then retested. One faucet has been addressed, retested to confirm non-detect, and put back into service.  The others have been addressed, retested, and awaiting results.

Horton had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except the breakroom faucet had a low lead level. It has been addressed, retested, and awaiting results. 

Koury had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except the breakroom faucet had a low lead level. It has been addressed, re-tested to confirm non-detect, and put back into service. 

Manly had “non-detect” for all fixtures except one guest apartment had a low level.  The faucet was addressed, retested, confirmed non-detect, and returned to service.

­Morrison had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one fountain that tested with a low lead level.  It was reflushed, retested, confirmed non-detect, and was returned to service.

Old West had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one guest apartment kitchen faucet had a low lead level. It will be addressed once the kitchen renovation is complete. 

Ram Village Four (Taylor) had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except two student apartment kitchen faucets had low lead levels. They have been addressed, retested, and awaiting results.

Spencer had numerous positive results and the University is investigating the cause and determining a permanent solution.  In the meantime, lead filters have been installed on all fountains/bottle fillers, kitchen sinks, and many bathroom sinks. Additionally, water dispensers will remain in place until the permanent solution is complete.

­Stacy had “non-detect” for all of the fixtures except one fountain that tested with a low lead level. It has been turned off until it can be filtered or replaced and then retested. 

Additionally, lead filters are being added to one fountain/bottle filler per building.  This project is almost complete and all upfitted units are identified by “Filtered Water” labels.

As always, please contact our office via email at housing@unc.edu or by phone at 919-962-5401 if you have additional questions or concerns. Additionally, questions can be directed to the Environment, Health and Safety Department at 919-962-5507. Information and campuswide drinking water updates can also be seen at the EHS Website and on the EHS Twitter account at @unc_ehs.

Thank you,

Carolina Housing

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