The City of Greensboro is reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship and public safety following recent actions taken at the T.Z. Osborne Wastewater Treatment Facility to address emissions monitoring and compliance matters.
On May 28, the Water Resources Department received a civil penalty assessment from the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) related to elevated carbon monoxide (CO) readings and issues identified with the performance of the facility’s aging continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS).
The Water Resources Department continuously monitors emissions from its wastewater treatment incinerators and routinely conducts independent third-party testing to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
During scheduled emissions tests in 2025, the City’s CO readings were outside the regulatory compliance threshold for instrument accuracy. Annual test results in May and July identified discrepancies between the CEMS and independent third-party accuracy testing. Upon receiving the results, City staff immediately investigated the issue. Rather than reflecting actual CO levels, the investigation concluded that the aging monitoring equipment overreported CO values, compared to third-party Relative Accuracy Test Audit results. City staff completed the necessary repairs and installed updated monitoring equipment. A follow-up test in October confirmed the facility’s full compliance with air emissions standards. No CO exceedances have been recorded since the new system went into service.
People are also reading…
“When operational issues are identified, it’s our responsibility to identify the underlying cause quickly, address it effectively, and keep our community informed along the way,” said Water Resources Director Mike Borchers. “The CEMS we had in place for monitoring carbon monoxide had reached its end of useful service life and necessitated prompt replacement. Once corrective actions were completed, compliance was restored and verified through third-party emissions testing.” Through annual stack emissions compliance testing conducted by independent testing professionals, the City provides NCDEQ and the community a high degree of assurance that the wastewater treatment facility’s emissions monitoring systems meet or exceed regulatory requirements.
The department’s primary mission is to provide the highest level of water, sewer, and stormwater services, to protect public health, and sustain an enjoyable quality of life. It is committed to upholding public trust through exceptional customer service, transparency, and environmental stewardship in Greensboro and neighboring communities. Learn more about the department online at greensboro-nc.gov/water.
