Pittsboro records low numbers of 1,4-Dioxane after April 5 discharge

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PITTSBORO — Concentrations of a likely human carcinogen, 1,4-Dioxane, in Pittsboro's water were found to be almost non-detect after a spill on April 5. 

Greensboro city officials notified Pittsboro staff about a discharge of the chemical compound 1,4-Dioxane earlier this month. 

According to the town's public information officer, Colby Sawyer, the levels of 1,4-Dioxane have started to dwindle to non-detect levels after the initial contamination.  Samples from the Haw River and Pittsboro's water treatment facility have shown concentrations of less than one microgram per liter on April 18 and April 20. 

"The numbers listed above indicate limited contamination thus far with the event," Sawyer said. "The town expects this trend to continue with low levels of 1,4-Dioxane in our distribution system, with consistent non-detect results in our raw water grabs."

Sawyer said the town continues to pull samples from the Haw River and Pittsboro's treated water to monitor the concentrations of the chemical. 

Reporter Taylor Heeden can be reached at theeden@chathamnr.com.