In 2013, the Town of Chapel Hill discovered a coal ash site under the Chapel Hill Police Station, which some say could pose a threat to the drinking water of nearby residents.  The Town’s Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment will more completely characterize the risks and help determine the remediation plan. There are 50 coal ash disposal sites in North Carolina. Coal ash contains a toxic mix of heavy metals that can damage human and ecological health. 

Due to ongoing water quality concerns in Falls Lake, the North Carolina General Assembly approved $500,000 in annual funds over six years for UNC-Chapel Hill to oversee a study and analysis of nutrient management strategies and water quality in Falls Lake (and also Jordan Lake).

As part of the Collaboratory study, researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, and NC State University are engaged in a number of individual projects ranging from evaluating water flow in the lake to identifying sources of nutrients and sediments as well as detailing financial options to pay for new mitigation strategies.

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One of the Falls Lake research studies focuses on the spatiotemporal dynamics of algal blooms in Falls Lake. Researcher and Associate Professor at NC State University, Astrid Schnetzer, along with sampling partner, the NCDEQ Division of Water Resources, has been surveying sites monthly for 2.5 years to understand how algae fluctuate annually and to establish whether algal growth is associated with the presence of cyanobacterial toxins.

These chemicals, called GenX, are present in the Cape Fear River and could be putting residents at risk by suppressing their immune systems and causing other health issues.  GenX is a member of a family of human-made chemical compounds known as PFAS. GenX exposure is associated with increased risk of health problems in animal studies, including issues in the kidney, liver, immune system and others. Research has shown from human and animal studies that PFAS exposure may reduce antibody response to vaccines and may reduce infectious disease resistance.