Raleigh Water celebrated another year of successful partnerships at Industry Day 2026. The event brought together local businesses, vendors, regulators and City staff to learn, share ideas and talk about ways to protect our water and wastewater systems.
For most of us, what happens after we flush the toilet, take a shower or pour something down the drain is easy to overlook. For Raleigh Water and the businesses that use the public sewer system, it is part of the work they do every day. Industry Day gives these partners a chance to learn about current issues, ask questions and work together to protect water quality and the environment.
Learning and Sharing Knowledge
Industry Day provided an opportunity to learn about current issues and emerging challenges that affect water quality and industrial operations. Several vendors attended, with booths representing contract laboratories and turnkey sampling services.
Raleigh Water staff provided updates on stormwater regulations and the Industrial Pretreatment Program. The program works with certain businesses to identify and control pollutants in industrial wastewater before it enters the public sewer system. This helps protect the wastewater treatment process, waterways and the people who work with the system.
A representative from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality provided guidance on PFAS testing and source tracking. The information can help businesses better understand how to identify and reduce potential sources of these emerging contaminants.
The event also featured an update from the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and a look at emerging regulations from EMC Chair JD Solomon.
Celebrating Environmental Stewardship
Raleigh Water also recognized industries that have demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental compliance and water conservation.
Seven industries received Environmental Stewardship Awards for achieving 100% compliance with their permits during the previous year. The awards recognize industries that stayed within their permitted limits, submitted required information on time and had no serious inspection findings.
Raleigh Water also recognized industries for their efforts and investments in water conservation:
- Water Conservation Award Winner – Guerbet: Achieved a 34.2% reduction in overall water use, saving more than 2.5 million gallons of water each month.
- Runner-Up – Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.
- Runner-Up – GlaxoSmithKline
- Honorable Mention – Pratt (Georgia Box), Inc.
These awards highlight the many ways local businesses are helping protect our natural resources. Following permits and finding ways to use less water both play an important role in protecting our community and environment.
Sharing Ideas, Building Partnerships
Industry Day was about more than presentations. It was also a chance for people to connect with longtime colleagues, meet new partners, ask questions and share ideas.
These relationships are an important part of Raleigh Water's Industrial Pretreatment Program. Strong partnerships among the City, businesses, regulators and service providers help everyone learn from one another and work toward common goals.
Industry Day 2026 was a reminder that protecting our water and wastewater systems takes teamwork. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but it has an impact on everyone who lives and works in Raleigh.
Together, We Protect Every Drop.
