Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Kings Mountain, NC (WNN) - Over the past several years, Kings Mountain residents have noticed and reported a decline in water quality to the point where some no longer believe it is safe. As a result, the Kings Mountain municipal government hosted a water quality town hall attended by many concerned citizens.
When using a still-water source, algal blooms will inevitably occur. This is exactly the issue Kings Mountain attributes to its water odor and taste. Specifically, the issues are caused by two compounds produced by algae: Geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol, otherwise known as MIB. These are both considered safe even though they are extremely detectable to humans. Both are known to be detectable down to 5 parts per trillion, especially in individuals sensitive to the flavor, with some sources citing even lower concentrations to be detectable. These compounds are known to be safe for consumption and bathing; however, this form of secondary contaminant can be unpleasant.
This issue, however, has been present in Kings Mountain for an extended period and has been reported by local news since 1984. As algal blooms grow exponentially in response to environmental conditions, the current infrastructure makes it challenging to return them to non-detectable levels. The city has enacted a multi-pronged approach to curb the issue.
The watershed includes many agricultural fields, causing runoff into Kings Mountain's water source. As Buffalo Creek feeds Lake Moss, the fertilizers used here add a large amount of nutrients for the algae to feed on. This is in conjunction with runoff produced by homes surrounding both the creek and the lake. This can come from several sources, including septic systems, animal waste, and stormwater runoff, which can send lawn fertilizers into the system. The DEQ has acknowledged that additional monitoring is needed in these areas to prevent the lake's water from becoming overenriched.
To start, the water that flows from Buffalo Creek into Lake Moss is then pumped to the Kings Mountain water plant. After intake, it enters carbon treatment before flowing to a settling tank to filter impurities. In the filtration step, oxidizers are introduced to support several elimination processes. They react with this, eliminating dissolved metals, help disinfect the water, and, importantly for Kings Mountain’s issue, help eliminate organic compounds. However, this is not limited to algal compounds and also helps eliminate substances like pesticides and herbicides that may have entered the water. Currently, both the raw and finished water are tested once per hour, with oxidizer levels adjusted accordingly to help combat the compounds. The city has also decided to allow water to settle for longer in both steps, thereby improving the process's effectiveness. Before distribution, chlorine is added during storage to complete water disinfection.
However, more issues are at play here, with one notable one affecting the city in 2024. At that time, they were found to be out of compliance with the amount of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) allowed in the water. This issue was solved by removing all sediment from the basin used for storage. Outside of this, the city also performed a system-wide flush, which should have cleaned the interior of the pipes, enhancing water quality. They have found that some areas have needed spot flushing and urge residents to let them test the water in their homes if it still tastes off. If necessary, they will perform a localized flush.
The city has also planned new projects to enhance water quality further. Despite the DEQ previously asking the city to remove the baffles from the entry step, they are currently looking into returning this step to their process. The baffles are a concrete structure with holes through which water can flow, helping eliminate solids before it enters the city's system. To further control the water's flavor, they also want to implement a SCADA system to monitor the water in real time, allowing the city to more closely control the amount of oxidizers needed to combat the issue. Currently, despite being listed as abandoned, some pipes are still connected to the main, causing issues. The city water plant employees are working to identify and shut down these pipes. Lastly, the city is attempting to have a full staff of eight at the water plant, allowing more time devotion to everything that must be done.
During home water quality checks, the city has also found that some issues stem from poor maintenance inside the homes. While they are willing to flush the system if the lines cause the issue, often it is appliances inside the home that are causing the issue. One of the main culprits is water heaters. Just like the city’s own basins, water heaters are liable to accumulate sediment. Care guidelines for these units recommend flushing them once a year, which can be done by a plumber or by yourself with kits available at hardware stores. In the same vein, some homes have been built with a whole-home filter or have one installed. While this can significantly improve the water's smell and flavor, it must also be maintained. General guidelines recommend replacement every 3 months; however, in systems with higher levels of contaminants, they may require replacement as often as once a month.
To have the city test the water in your home, you can reach out to the link provided here (https://www.cityofkm.com/forms.aspx?fid=88). From there, you can fill out the form not just for your home but for any location where you notice an issue, and you can provide photos of the issue if applicable. Furthermore, Kings Mountain wants to keep its citizens updated on how it plans to improve and maintain these systems. They plan to do so via the link here.
The first citizen to speak did not agree that the water is safe. Nancy Arrowood claims that she’s experiencing rashes after bathing. This seemed to alarm city manager Todd Carpenter, who asked Arrowood to speak with medical professionals about the issue. The mayor arranged for Arrowoods' home water to be tested as soon as possible to try to identify and eliminate any issues she is having. The next two speakers hit the same keynotes, with Jason Nail being concerned over the amount of foreign materials entering the system, and David Caldwell speaking directly on this issue from his own testing of Buffalo Creek.
Nancy Arrowood speaking on her concerns - Kings Mountain Water Quality Town Hall - March 17, 2026
Mason Beam (WNN)
Tim Sanders was up next and was concerned about the capacity of Kings Mountain to support new growth with these issues. Carpenter replied that more growth would actually help decrease the noticed issues. Out of the 12-million-gallon capacity, Kings Mountain only uses 3 to 7 million gallons daily, depending on the time of year. More water flowing through the system would result in less sediment buildup. The next citizen was also concerned with infrastructure. John Lemmond wanted to know the amount of infrastructure that is currently mapped and what percentage is at the end of its life cycle. The Water Resources Director, William Nash, responded that he would estimate 80-90% of the current water infrastructure is mapped in the GIS. He is unsure what percentage is nearing the end of life, but plans on researching the issue.
Everett Still spoke on the non-compliance with the TTHMs; however, this issue has been resolved. Bradley Jones was up next and was concerned with the staffing shortage. Currently, 4 of the 8 total positions are filled. The city is actively seeking to fill these roles, which can be applied for here. https://www.cityofkm.com/695/Employment-Opportunities
The last citizen who signed up to speak was Jackson Cloninger. He was concerned about the city claiming the entire system had issues and wanted to know what the precise source of the smell and taste was. He did not feel his questions were answered, and left the podium after the city manager became frustrated with his line of questioning.
The last few speakers who approached the podium had several concerns. The first was worried that hydrogen peroxide was being discussed for usage in Lake Moss, and wanted assurance that this would not harm the wildlife. According to Nash, the peroxide discussed was not hydrogen peroxide and is safe in the concentrations used for all wildlife in the system. The last two speakers asked for clarifications on potential with the first being assured that the DEQ is aware of the issues surrounding Buffalo Creek, and the second being told that lead lines are not in use with the city, but may be present in older homes.
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