water quality

A photograph of a river running through a forest

May 6, 2025

Development, agriculture present risks for drinking water quality

A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that conversion of forests to urban development or agriculture near streams can have harmful effects on water quality downstream, presenting both health concerns and raising the cost of water treatment. Using a model called the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, researchers mapped out the current…

Dock reflections in the Lake Raleigh water on Centennial Campus.

Jul 20, 2023

Managing 847,000 Gallons of Daily Water Use

Learn more about the team of campus experts who help maintain the university’s high quality drinking water as part of NC State’s Water Quality Management Program.

Apr 11, 2023

What Amphibians Can Tell Us About Water Quality

NC State researcher Ivana Mali explains how amphibians can help scientists determine the impact of pollution on aquatic environments.

May 13, 2022

Study Finds Soil Composition Isn’t Key to Southeast Raleigh Flooding

Findings from a recent study suggest the soil is unlikely the culprit behind recurrent flooding in the Walnut Creek watershed.

Researchers look for the Neuse River waterdog

Nov 30, 2021

A Giant Among Salamanders

NC State researchers are studying the Neuse River waterdog, a large salamander, to try to find out why it's disappearing.

A group of middle school students sit on a log and look out onto a lake.

Aug 10, 2021

Researchers Incorporate Marginalized Voices in Climate Change Solutions

As experts at NC State study aspects of climate change, they strive to center marginalized voices to ensure groups facing the highest risk aren’t overlooked.

High school students carried water in a project designed to teach them about global water access.

Jun 1, 2021

How To Engage Students in Addressing Global Problems

NC State researchers challenged 11th graders to find solutions to address the global problem of clean water access.

Dec 17, 2020

Fertilizer Runoff in Streams and Rivers Can Have Cascading Effects, Analysis Shows

Fertilizer pollution can have significant ripple effects in the food webs of streams and rivers, according to a new analysis of global data led by a researcher from NC State.

A wildfire burns near a lake in California.

Oct 16, 2020

After the Blaze: How Wildfires Can Impact Drinking Water

As wildfires grow hotter and more destructive, affected cities could face drinking water shortages.

Aug 11, 2020

N.C. Tribes Faced Obstacles to Atlantic Coast Pipeline Water Planning, Study Shows

A case study evaluated challenges faced by Indigenous people in North Carolina during planning of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

World map of nitrogen dioxide air pollution in 2020.

May 28, 2020

In Wake of Global Shutdowns, Researchers Expect Water Quality to Improve

NC State researchers expect water quality to improve in the wake of COVID-19 global shutdowns related to declines in air pollution.

May 2, 2019

EPA to Fund Study on Whether Treating Drinking Water Limits PFAS Exposure

New EPA grant aims to answer whether just treating drinking water for PFAS contamination does enough to limit exposure.

Photo of freshwater mussels in a laboratory.

Jan 8, 2019

Study Will Examine Ecosystem Benefits Provided by Freshwater Mussels

The impact of freshwater mussels on N.C. water quality, and public awareness of water-quality issues, will be the focus of a new study.