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 levels. They 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 level. It 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 level. It 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 level. It 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