Quench: The Cleaner, Greener, More Affordable Water Cooler for Raleigh-Durham

Raleigh-Durham Water Quality: Yesterday

Throughout North Carolina’s early settlements and the uncertainty of the Civil War years, the cities of Raleigh and Durham lacked a stable system for delivering and storing potable water. Raleigh, founded in 1792, depended on springs and wells until the city constructed its Water Works complex in 1887. An innovation for its time, the complex drew from Walnut Creek and delivered filtered water to a 2,500,000 gallon holding reservoir – with further elevated storage provided by the Raleigh Water Tower. By the 20^th century, the system would expand to cover the entire metropolitan area, though much has now been renovated or decommissioned for historic preservation.

Nearly 25 miles to the north, Durham was undergoing a similar process of development throughout much of the 19^th and 20^th. Residents in the 1880s witnessed an explosion of the development throughout the city, incorporated in 1869, including the establishment of its first water system, treatment plant along the Eno River, the Huckleberry Hill Reservoir and the Durham Water Company. After a devastating fire in 1914, made worse by weak water pressure, the city bought out the water company and continued to build a reliable, safe system.

Raleigh-Durham Water Quality: Today

Today, the Raleigh and Durham metropolitan areas operate two distinctive systems that deliver water to over 1.8 million residents annually. Yet, both cities face similar challenges in maintaining clean, safe drinking water, including naturally occurring minerals and bacteria that leach into the cities’ supplies. Algae, while an important part of most water sources’ ecosystems, can lead to an earthy taste or musty smell, but is easily corrected with proper water filtration.

In Durham, which primarily sources from Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir, many residents complain their tap water leaves a pink residue behind, especially during construction projects. Likely the result of airborne bacteria Serratia marcesens, found naturally in soil, animals, and food, the pink film is harmless and is neutralized with a chlorine-based cleaner.

Raleigh’s water discoloration, though equally safe, sparked far more concern from residents. In 2015, many in northern Raleigh complained of rust-colored tap water, caused by high levels of iron and manganese in the groundwater, that ruined fixtures and stained appliances.

Quench Water Coolers – A Better Drinking Water System for Raleigh-Durham Area

No need to worry about what your office’s drinking water might have picked up on its journey to your glass. Quench offers a full complement of filtration and purification technologies to reduce sediment, reduce chemical contaminants, including lead, and get rid of off-tastes and odors. That’s how we can guarantee that Quench office water coolers produce crisp, clean, great-tasting water – and at a fraction of the price of bottled water delivery services.