Latest News
FEBRUARY 19, 2025 - ALL COUNTY OFFICES AND COUNTY LANDFILL ARE CLOSING AT 10:30 AM DUE TO WINTER WEATHER - PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR REOPEN INFORMATION.
Annual Treatment Change to
Johnston County West Water System
Smithfield, NC – Beginning on March 1, 2025, the Johnston County Water Treatment Plant will temporarily stop feeding ammonia with chlorine for disinfection and start feeding chlorine only for all Johnston County water customers on the Johnston West water distribution system. The Johnston West distribution system supplies water for many County residents and businesses, which includes Clayton, Wilson Mills, Four Oaks, and some customers serviced by various private utilities, including the Flowers Plantation area. If you have any concerns or need additional information, please contact Johnston County Public Utilities at 919-989-5075.
For Johnston County retail customers, the distribution system is designated on each monthly billing statement. The Johnston West distribution system is shown as the blue area on the attached map. State and federal regulations require that all public water systems feed chlorine only for at least three weeks each year to insure that no bacteria are present, which may have adapted to the ammonia in the water.
Johnston West customers that use kidney dialysis machines should be aware that the water will contain more chlorine for about six weeks and will return to a chlorine and ammonia mixture on or around April 14, 2025. The chlorine only water can be toxic to tropical fish. Most customers will not notice a difference in their water, but some may detect a chlorine odor and might observe a slight color change.
Johnston County
Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater
February 16, 2025
General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters. In accordance with that regulation, the following news release has been prepared and issued to media in the affected county:
The Johnston County wastewater collection system had a discharge of untreated wastewater on February 16, 2025 from approximately 7:00 am to 10:30 am in the vicinity of 2355 Swift Creek Road and US 70. The discharge was approximately 251,000 gallons, and the untreated wastewater discharged into drainage ways to surface waters that flow to Reedy Branch Creek. The discharge occurred due to mechanical failure from intermittent power interruptions.
The Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on February 16, 2025 and is reviewing the matter. For more information, contact the Johnston County Public Utilities Department as (919) 989-5075.
Winter Weather Reminder
(Office Hours and call-out response times are affected by icy road conditions.)
We would like to remind our water customers to be prepared for freezing winter temperatures that could cause frozen water lines. We encourage you to:
- Wrap any exposed pipes.
- Check all outside faucets and remove water hoses.
- Close all vents on the outside of your home.
- Keep meter box lids tightly closed.
- Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow heat inside.
If you have water pipes that are subject to freezing, try to keep a steady trickle of water running from the nearest faucet. If you have frozen pipes, but some water is running, the safest thing to do is to wait for the frozen pipes to thaw. Never use an open flame to thaw waterlines. Once the pipes thaw out again, be sure to check for cracks or leaks that may occur from freezing. During inclement weather, our Field Technicians respond to service calls when roads are safe to travel.
Please anticipate delays in service restoration when snow and ice conditions exist in your area. For further assistance, please call 919-989-5075
** CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON ⇒ Boil Water Advisory PDF
County’s Mandatory Year-round Conservation Policy
The policy allows for alternate day irrigation for irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers based on the customer’s address. Odd number street addresses are allowed to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while even number street addresses are allowed to water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. No irrigation is allowed on Mondays. Pool filling days should correspond with allowed irrigation days. Please visit our website at www.jcutil.com for the full policy and water conservation suggestions. We sincerely appreciate your cooperation. Please contact Johnston County Public Utilities at 919-989-5075 with any questions.
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- 2024 Capital Improvements Plan
- ONLINE/IVR BANK FEES ADDED TO CUSTOMER’S PAYMENT EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2022
- Sedimentation and Erosion Control Fees Revision
- Important Service Interruption Notifications
- 2024 Wastewater Annual Report
- 2024 - 25 Water and Sewer Policies
- Water and Sewer Rates FY 24-25
- Operating Hours for Public Utilities
- WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
- Year-Round Alternate Day Watering Schedule
- 2023 Water Quality Report in English
- 2023 Reporte de Calidad de agua en Espanol