Raleigh Water Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New State-Of-The-Art Water Lab

It wasn't just a ribbon cutting; it felt a bit like a housewarming for the City's newest guardian of clean water. This month, Raleigh's Drinking Water Compliance Laboratory officially opened its doors, or rather, its beakers, to the public and press on Wednesday, April 9. The shiny, new 15,000-square-foot facility in Wake Forest is more than just a building; it's a promise of safe, clean water for generations.

Tucked away at 10700 Star Road, the lab hums with the quiet efficiency of cutting-edge technology, a place where science meets community. It's where the City's water gets its check-up. This new home will analyze samples from more than 650,000 residents across Raleigh, Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell, and Zebulon, making sure every drop is just right.

"We’re not just looking for the obvious," said Martesa Webb, Raleigh Water laboratory manager, with a smile that hinted at the quiet dedication in her team. "Raleigh Water Lab is committed to detect and report those... well, let's call them 'uninvited guests,' ensuring our water goes beyond what's expected."

It's easy to take clean water for granted, but behind the scenes, there's a small army of dedicated folks. Keep this in mind:

• The Raleigh Water laboratory team logs roughly 38,083 miles a year, crisscrossing the region to collect samples. That's a lot of windshield time for the sake of good water!
• The lab checks for 71 things in drinking water and 41 in wastewater. Think of it as a very detailed health report for our taps.
• The team handle about 52,664 samples a year. That's a lot of tiny vials, and a lot of care.

This is Raleigh Water's first certified drinking water lab.

It's a reminder that keeping our water safe is a constant, quiet effort, a little bit of everyday magic that makes life here just a little bit better.

View the press kit for more information about this project.