Why Is Water Quality Changing in North Carolina?

Why is protecting water quality becoming more challenging in North Carolina? From population growth and development to more intense rainfall and periods of drought, the conditions that shape our water resources are changing. In this video, we explore what water quality actually means, how North Carolina's diverse landscapes influence the movement of water, and why changes across our state can affect the rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters we depend on. We'll look at: -What we mean by water quality -How designated uses help define the conditions we protect -How North Carolina's Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain differ -How population growth and development change the movement of water -Why heavy rainfall and drought create new water quality challenges -How land management and water quality are connected across a watershed CURRENTS translates water, soil, and watershed science into practical knowledge for professionals who protect and restore natural resources. Produced by the NC State University Water Quality Protection Extension Program through NC Cooperative Extension.