UNC facility told of wastewater leaks

Treated animal wastewater leaked into a local creek from a UNC research facility, earning the University a notice of violation from the state in December.

The violation is the latest in a rash of incidents that have the Research Resource Facility’s neighbors clamoring for more communication, transparency and action from the University.

The facility houses animals that are transported to and from campus for research. Dogs, for example, are used for blood disease research, while pigs are part of looking into heart disease.

Treated wastewater leaked from a punctured liner in a retaining pond and made it to Collins Creek, which eventually connects with Jordan Lake. The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued the notice of violation Dec. 18.

The leak’s effects on the surrounding area and the water supply have yet to be determined.

Loose pipes have caused two other leaks, said Dwayne Pinkney, special assistant to the chancellor for state and local relations at UNC.

The first leak, in mid-November, released an estimated 630 gallons of treated animal wastewater into nearby soils. Neither of those leaks led to notices from the state.

Mary Beth Koza, director of Environment, Health and Safety at UNC, said the leaks resulted from a new piping system installed within the past year and each leak was self-reported to the University.

But community members are upset they weren’t told of the leaks as well. The research facility has long been of interest to its neighbors, who have raised concerns in the past over the treatment of the facility’s animals and its environmental impact.

“I do not believe that we felt or understood how concerned the community would be and how interested it is in the issue,” Koza said.

A letter to UNC from the group Preserve Rural Orange proposed a number of steps for better communication and safety. They included establishing a point person at UNC for communications, allowing an open tour of the facility and testing facility waters for toxins and pathogens.

The letter also calls for ending the use of an incinerator at the facility used to dispose of animal carcasses which has experienced malfunctions.

Residents have also expressed frustration over the lack of information about a planned expansion to the facilities.

For UNC, better communication has meant appointing Pinkney as the go-between for UNC and concerned residents.

“There’s a certain amount of skepticism and cynicism at this point,” Pinkney said, adding “it’s a bit early to tell” if relationships with the community are improving.

“I’m focused on moving forward making sure we’re communicating regularly and clearly,” Pinkney said.

UNC has requested until March 15 to dewater the storage pond cited with the violation in order to identify the source of the most recent leak and repair it.



Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.