Water Filtration in Winston-Salem & Forsyth County

Winston-Salem has one of the oldest water systems in the country, going back to 1774, when the Moravians of Salem started piping water to their town. Today it’s a large, modern system, but the basic trade-off hasn’t changed: treated river water is safe, but it doesn’t always taste or smell the way you’d like.

Where Forsyth County’s Water Comes From

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities runs three water treatment plants that together can produce about 91 million gallons a day:

• Neilson and Swann plants: treat water pulled from the Yadkin River.
• Thomas plant: treats water from Salem Lake and the Yadkin River.
• Private wells: still common outside city limits in places like Lewisville, Pfafftown, and the county’s rural edges.

Common Water Concerns in Forsyth County

• Chlorine taste and smell. Winston-Salem has used free chlorine as its disinfectant, which is what gives tap water that pool smell. The good news is free chlorine is one of the easiest things for a carbon system to remove.
• Older home plumbing. In established neighborhoods, the pipes inside the house matter as much as the water plant. The utility itself points out that lead in drinking water comes mainly from home plumbing and service lines, not the treatment plant.
• Well water outside the city: iron, sediment, and hardness are the usual culprits.

Questions From Forsyth County Homeowners

Is Winston-Salem water treated with chlorine or chloramine?

Winston-Salem has used free chlorine, unlike Greensboro and High Point, which use chloramine. Either way, a properly sized whole-house carbon system removes the taste and smell.

Do you serve Kernersville and Clemmons?

Yes. We work throughout Forsyth County, including Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, Walkertown, and Rural Hall.