Public Conversations is an ongoing series of community forums designed to convene Charlotte-area residents for discussion of timely and relevant topics. Our goal is to create comfortable settings that encourage a stimulating and enlightening exchange of ideas. By organizing these Public Conversations, WFAE intends to serve as a catalyst for community dialogue. Participants are encouraged to engage in conversation with a cross-section of community representatives, expert panelists, and with each other.

What's In Our Water?

By WFAE

Published April 22, 2014 at 7:00 PM EDT

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Mt. Island Lake, the source of Charlotte's drinking water.

Mark Rumsey

At WFAE's Public Conversation on "What's In Our Water," reporter Ben Bradford opened the community forum by presenting an overview of the Catawba River Basin including the lakes that provide Charlotte's drinking water supply, threats to the regions water quality, and the water treatment process.

View slide presentation to accompany introduction. (Attached as PDF.)

This Public Conversation offered perspectives from Charlotte and Mecklenburg County water quality and water treatment officials, the local Riverkeeper organization, and the real estate and building industry. The discussion covered topics from water quality monitoring and government regulations, to concerts about the pollution from coal ash stored near North Carolina rivers and lakes.

042214Water.mp3

Listen to the full event audio.

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Moderator:
Lisa Miller, WFAE reporter

Panelists:
Richard Gaskins, executive director at Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation
Barry Gullet, director at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities
Joe Padilla, Executive Director; Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition
Rusty Rozzelle, Water Quality Program Manager; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater Services