The quality of Jamestown’s drinking water has recently garnered attention due to the presence of PFAS, or "forever chemicals." In April, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a mandate requiring water treatment plants to eliminate these harmful substances, creating significant financial challenges for municipalities and their residents.
In response to this issue, Invicta Water Inc., a Burlington-based company, has announced its intention to tackle PFAS contamination on a global scale. According to the company’s website, Invicta Water Inc. is driven by the belief that access to clean water is a fundamental human right. Their mission is to utilize advanced technology to address the global water crisis and ensure the availability of safe drinking water for all.
Steve Wilcenski, the CEO of Invicta Water Inc., highlighted the company’s innovative approach to removing and destroying PFAS. “If we can solve this problem and help eradicate these chemicals, then we can prevent future occurrences of related health issues,” Wilcenski stated in an interview with WRAL. He cited personal motivation, referencing his sister’s death from a rare form of breast cancer that may have been linked to PFAS and 1,4-dioxane exposure at military bases in the Southeast.
Invicta’s technology employs boron and nitrogen-based materials to create crystals that bind to PFAS molecules. Ultraviolet light is then used to facilitate a chemical reaction that degrades these harmful substances. The company is working on developing cost-effective solutions for water treatment plants, industries, and residential systems.
A case study featured on Invicta’s website demonstrates the effectiveness of their technology. At a former industrial site with PFAS levels significantly above recommended limits, Invicta’s system was able to reduce detectable PFAS compounds from ten to only two.
In Jamestown, which sources a portion of its water from High Point, the financial implications of PFAS cleanup are becoming clearer. The City of High Point estimates that addressing PFAS contamination will cost approximately $16.1 million. Water samples from the Arnold Koonce City Lake, which borders several Jamestown neighborhoods, and the city’s drinking water have shown PFAS levels exceeding federal limits of four parts per trillion.
The cost of cleanup for Jamestown is expected to be lower compared to High Point due to Jamestown’s ownership of only 2.5 percent of the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority (PTRWA). However, High Point water customers are anticipated to face a 2 percent increase in water and sewer rates to cover the cleanup expenses. The impact on Jamestown’s budget, which began on July 1, has not yet been disclosed.
Additionally, PTRWA is planning an $85 million upgrade to its John F. Kime Water Treatment Plant to comply with new federal PFAS regulations. The plant treats water from the Randleman Regional Reservoir, which has the capacity to provide up to 54 million gallons of raw water per day. Currently, the plant handles 14 million gallons daily, with a future build-out capacity of 48 million gallons. PTRWA serves High Point, Jamestown, Greensboro, Randleman, Archdale, and Randolph County, with Asheboro contemplating membership.
The Randleman Reservoir, created in 2004, was designed to meet the drinking water needs of the greater Greensboro area for the next 50 years and to offer recreational opportunities.
