The area of greatest concern is Slocum Creek. Concentrations of metals in fish tissues were of particular concern for wildlife along Contentnea Creek at Wilson and along the Neuse River at New Bern and Kinston. Dioxin concentrations that may be of concern for human health and for wildlife were found in the Neuse near the Weyerhauser facility at New Bern. The Weyerhauser plant has since changed its bleaching process in an effort to minimize this source of dioxin. Contamination levels for dioxin in the Neuse were generally lower than in the Chowan, Roanoke, and Albemarle basins.
Toxic substances enter the basin through both point and nonpoint sources.
Eleven dischargers in the Neuse basin may contribute to instream water quality concentrations of toxics that exceed acceptable levels during low flow conditions. Seven dischargers in the basin have been identified that may potentially exceed such levels under average flow conditions. These dischargers are in Orange, Durham, Wake, and Johnston counties. Another cause of concern for the water quality of the basin is the occurrence of fish and shellfish diseases and kills. About two-thirds of these kills occurred in the upper half of the river basin.