Emergency Notifications

JOHNSTON COUNTY WEST WATER SYSTEM CUSTOMERS - SWITCHOVER TO FREE CHLORINE

Chlorine Water Treatment Starts March 1, 2023 ==> <<  Click here to read Press Release  >>

February 17, 2023

Smithfield, NC – Beginning on March 1, 2023, the Johnston County Water Treatment Plant will temporarily stop feeding ammonia with chlorine for disinfection and start feeding chlorine only for all Johnston County water customers on the Johnston West water distribution system.  The Johnston West distribution system supplies water for many County residents and businesses, which includes Clayton, Wilson Mills, and some customers serviced by various private utilities.  If you have any concerns or need additional information, please contact Johnston County Public Utilities at 919-989-5075.

For Johnston County retail customers, the distribution system is designated on each monthly billing statement.  State and federal regulations require that all public water systems feed chlorine only for at least three weeks each year to insure that no bacteria are present which may have adapted to the ammonia in the water. 

Johnston West customers that use kidney dialysis machines should be aware that the water will contain more chlorine for about five weeks and will return to a chlorine and ammonia mixture on or about April 3, 2023.  The chlorine only water can be toxic to tropical fish.  Most customers will not notice a difference in their water, but some may detect a chlorine odor and might observe a slight color change.  The County will also conduct flushing of the Johnston West water distribution system during this period to speed the removal of chloramines from the system.  The flushing process may result in some minor and temporary discoloration of water that does not affect water quality.  If any related issues cannot be cleared by flushing the lines inside your home, please call 919-989-5075.

** CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON ⇒  Boil Water Advisory PDF

***Please note that we require a current phone number on your utility account to provide automated notifications regarding your water service.  Contact Customer Service at 919-989-5075 to keep your phone number accurate.

 Winter Weather Alert
(Office Hours and call-out response times are affected by icy road conditions.)

We would like to remind our water customers to be prepared for freezing winter temperatures that could cause frozen water lines. We encourage you to:

• Wrap any exposed pipes.
• Check all outside faucets and remove water hoses.
• Close all vents on the outside of your home.
• Keep meter box lids tightly closed.
• Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow heat inside.

If you have water pipes that are subject to freezing, try to keep a steady trickle of water running from the nearest faucet. If you have frozen pipes, but some water is running, the safest thing to do is to wait for the frozen pipes to thaw. Never use an open flame to thaw waterlines. Once the pipes thaw out again, be sure to check for cracks or leaks that may occur from freezing. During inclement weather, our Field Technicians respond to service calls when roads are safe to travel.

Please anticipate delays in service restoration when snow and ice conditions exist in your area. For further assistance, please call 919-989-5075.

County’s Mandatory Year-round Conservation Policy 

The policy allows for alternate day irrigation for irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers based on the customer’s address.  Odd number street addresses are allowed to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while even number street addresses are allowed to water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.  No irrigation is allowed on Mondays.  Pool filling days should correspond with allowed irrigation days.  Please visit our website at www.jcutil.com for the full policy and water conservation suggestions.  We sincerely appreciate your cooperation.  Please contact Johnston County Public Utilities at 919-989-5075 with any questions.