The Water Treatment Division operates the Wiggins Mill Water Treatment Plant and the Toisnot Water Treatment Plant to provide a safe and adequate supply of water to citizens, businesses, and industries. The City of Wilson owns and operates four reservoirs which serve as our raw water supply source: Buckhorn Lake, Toisnot Lake, Lake Wilson, and Wiggins Mill Lake. They have a combined storage capacity of over 7.5 billion gallons. Raw water can be pumped from the lakes to our water treatment facilities (pictured below). After treatment, the finish water can be pumped directly to the taps in homes and businesses or to our elevated water storage tanks. We treat over 9 million gallons of water a day for use in our City! In 1963, Wiggins Mill WTP opened on Lovers Lane (now Forest Hills Road) with a treating capacity of 4 million gallons per day (MGD). The cost of the new plant was $800,000. Wiggins Mill WTP has been expanded twice in 1987 and again in 1993 to its current treatment capacity of 12 MGD. Improvements were also made to the waste system in 1980 and to the chemical feed system and building in 2001.

Toisnot WTP was the first water plant constructed in Wilson. It was built in 1917 at the Wilson Power Plant site on Pine Street with a treatment capacity of 3 MGD. The plant was built for $204,500. Toisnot WTP has been expanded twice in 1952 and again in 1974 to reach its current treatment capacity of 10 MGD. Improvements to the chemical feed system, pumps, and a back-up generator were made in 2001. The Wilson Power Plant was torn down in 1991, leaving only the Toisnot WTP structure.

Educational tours of the Wiggins Mill facility may be arranged by calling the Water Treatment Manager at 252-399-2376.

Treatment Process

Raw water is pumped from either Toisnot Lake or Wiggins Mill Reservoir to the treatment facilities. When raw water enters the facility, ferric sulfate reacts with natural alkalinity, or added lime, or sodium hydroxide to cause small particles to cling to one another after strong mixing. Powder activated carbon is added to control taste and odor causing substances that occur naturally in the raw water. The water is then mixed slowly and polymer is added. The particles are then much larger. The water then enters settling basins where the heavy particles settle. The Wiggins Mill Plant has a system to remove solids from the basins called a trac vac system. Tube settlers are also utilized to improve settling efficiency. Chlorine and sodium hydroxide (pH adjustment) are added to improve mineral removal in the filters. The water is then filtered through sand and anthracite to remove remaining fine particles. Chlorine is added to kill harmful bacteria, protozoans and viruses. Lime or sodium hydroxide and a corrosion inhibitor are added to maintain pH and minimize potential for corrosion in City distribution lines and household plumbing. Fluoride is then added to aid in the prevention of tooth decay. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Over 300,000 routine tests are performed on the water each year. The City of Wilson’s drinking water supply meets all federal and state water quality requirements.

Elevated Water Tanks

As you drive around Wilson, you may have noticed seven elevated storage tanks. Only five of these are for storing potable (drinking) water and are painted blue. Two of the City’s storage tanks hold reclaimed (or re-use) water. For more information on reclaimed water, you can visit our Water Reclamation page.

• Which of Wilson’s elevated water tanks was the first?
• Which carries the famous symbol for a local college?
• Which do not hold drinking water?

Read about our tanks and learn the answers:

	Pine Street The Pine Street Tank can hold one-million gallons of drinking water. The mascot of Barton College, the bulldog, is painted on the side of the tank. Lights surrounding the bowl of the tank show off the artwork at night.
	Fike Tank More elevated water storage was added in 1962 with the construction of the one-million gallon tank behind Ralph L. Fike High School. The Fike Tank is a pedisphere tank, which means that it stands on a single large leg. The antenna structure on the top are for cell phone companies.
	Firestone Tank The Firestone Tank was completed in 1974, adding another million gallons of water storage for the City. This tank is located west of the (now) Bridgestone Plant.
	Lamm Road Tank The fourth elevated storage tank was built in 1997. The one-million gallon tank can be seen from I-95 and is located in the Wilson Corporate Park.
	Horne’s Church Road The last elevated storage tank for drinking water was placed into service in 2004. The one-million gallon tank is located on Hornes Church Road.
	Wedgewood Reclaimed Water Tank & Operations Center Reclaimed Water Tank The Wedgewood Tank and the Operations Center Tank are reclaimed water storage tanks. The tank at Wedgewood can hold 0.25 million gallons of reclaimed water while the Operations Center Tank has the capacity for one-million gallons of reclaimed water. The water they store is non-potable, but it can be used for many things: Irrigation of lawns, golf courses, parks, school grounds, etc Industrial and manufacturing processes Fire protection in sprinkler systems located in commercial or industrial facilities Street sweeping and vehicle washing Decorative ponds and fountains Reclaimed water is available to industrial and commercial customers within certain service areas. Currently the reclaimed water system produces irrigation water for Wedgewood Public Golf Course, the Wilson Rose Garden and Operations Center, for the Burt Gillette soccer complex, baseball complex and park areas, and for the Hominy Creek Water Reclamation Facility.

Links

• Environmental Kids Club
• American Water Works Association
• US Environmental Protection Agency
• NC Division of Water Resources

FAQ

• Water Resources FAQ

Water/Wastewater Rates

Water and Wastewater Rates can be found on the Water and Wastewater Rates page or in the Schedule of Fees under the “Rate Schedules” section.

Is there water and sewer service available to a particular property?
You may call 252-399-2468 to verify availability or come by the Operations Center at 1800 Herring Avenue.

How do I establish service?  In order to establish utility service with the City of Wilson, please call Customer Service at 252-399-2200 or visit their offices at 208 NE Nash St.

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