Toxic Chemicals Found At Greensboro Water Plant

Greensboro has stopped pumping water from a water treatment plant after finding high levels of toxic chemicals. 

Water samples were taken Monday from the Mitchell Water Treatment Plant.

The News and Record reports tests from early July showed the water contained high levels of PFOA and PFOS, harmful compounds used in firefighting foam and the coating on cookware.

Officials believe the source of the water plant contamination may be foam used by firefighters for both training and actual fires in and around Piedmont Triad International Airport.

Expedited results from the latest tests are expected on Friday.

Department of Water Resources Assistant Director Mike Borchers says a temporary fix that uses carbon to filter out the chemicals will be implemented by mid-September.

Water production at neighboring water plants has been accelerated to serve the Greensboro area.