Why does Charlotte have purple/blue streetlights? What to know (+ do about it)

Late last year, The Chronicle, a student-led newspaper at Duke University, reported that something strange was going on with the streetlights in one part of campus.

They were purple.

One student speculated the lights were purple to prevent drug use since they would make it harder to see veins in one’s arm. Another said the lights were meant to be blue, matching the university’s signature color.

It turns out, the issue isn’t just affecting the Triangle. Streetlights are turning blue and purple across the Tar Heel State, including in Charlotte.

Drivers who frequently travel to and from the airport may spot a couple of them along Billy Graham Parkway, and there are a few scattered in the West End area.

But why are they changing color?

Here’s what to know.

Why are some streetlights in Charlotte purple or blue?

Some streetlights are turning purple or blue due to a manufacturing defect in a batch produced in 2018, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.

Over time, a flaw in the white coating on the bulbs causes it to wear away, revealing a purple or bluish glow underneath.

While the unusual color isn’t a safety concern, Duke Energy says affected lights should be replaced with standard LEDs, and it encourages customers to report them when spotted.

The issue “affects less than a fraction of 1% of all LED lights across the Duke Energy system,” Caroline Fountain, a communications manager at the company, told the Observer in an email. The company did not share where the impacted lights are located.

How to report purple or blue streetlights

If you notice a streetlight glowing purple or not working properly, Duke Energy wants to hear about it so the light can be replaced, The Observer previously reported.

The affected lights are still under warranty, so customers won’t be charged for repairs, Keith Richardson, a senior communications manager at Duke Energy, previously told The News & Observer.

Once an issue is reported, repairs are usually completed within a few days.

You can report a malfunctioning light online using Duke Energy’s Streetlight Repair Tool at duke-energy.com/OutdoorLightingRepair or by calling 1-800-452-2777.

This story was originally published July 18, 2025 at 11:33 AM with the headline "Why does Charlotte have purple/blue streetlights? What to know (+ do about it)."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.