Aging monitoring equipment leads to fine for Greensboro wastewater plant

Greensboro officials say aging air-quality equipment likely led to inaccurate measurements of carbon monoxide pollution at its wastewater treatment facility in 2025.

Readings at the T. Z. Osbome Water Reclamation Facility violated the facility's state air-quality permit five times, resulting in a $46,000 fine from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality last month.

But the city this week blamed those readings on the plant's "aging continuous emissions monitoring system."

In 2025, the city reported carbon monoxide readings as much as eight times higher than what is allowed in its state permit. But routine alternate testing by an outside provider hired by the city found carbon monoxide levels far lower.

After installing new equipment in October, carbon monoxide levels were within allowable limits and have remained so ever since.

"It was a relief to know the carbon dioxide levels were not as high as they seemed," city spokesman Elijah Williams said Tuesday.

DEQ invalidated data collected during that period and considered it "monitor downtime," agency spokesman Shawn Taylor said.

"The civil penalty assessment addressed both the CO emission limit violations and improper operation and maintenance due to the excessive monitor downtime," he added.

The city didn't appeal the fine because the higher readings, even if they were inaccurate because of the aging equipment, "were the numbers we had so they were the numbers that we reported to the state," Williams explained.

He added that DEQ worked with the city to ensure that the monitoring issues were addressed and the facility was complying with its state permit.

"When operational issues are identified, it's our responsibility to identify the underlying cause quickly, address it effectively, and keep our community informed along the way," Greensboro Water Resources Director Mike Borchers said in a statement.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes carbon monoxide as a "dangerous, colorless, and odorless gas that suffocates the body by displacing oxygen in the bloodstream."

Inhaling carbon monoxide can prevent vital organs, including the brain and heart, from receiving the oxygen they need to function.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 9:34 AM.