These nutrients are removed by harvesting the algae and removing it from the lake watershed. As the algae grow, they take up the nutrients from the water. The ATS™ technology runs lake water across a flow-way where algae are grown. The City started a study testing an innovative technology called the Algal Turf Scrubber®, or ATS™, to try and remove nutrients from Falls Lake. Residents can also call the Stormwater Hotline (919-560-SWIM) to report water pollution. Anything that goes into storm drains does not get treated and, in this watershed, eventually washes into Panther Creek. Stormwater Services encourages neighbors to discuss and discourage putting trash, wash water, grease, or other pollution into storm drains. In the 2019 reporting year, staff found one public sanitary sewer spill in the Panther Creek watershed.

Stormwater Services staff investigates water pollution reported by other City employees and Durham residents. The State has not put any portions of Panther Creek in Durham on a list of impaired water bodies, also known as the 303(d) list. These water quality concerns are enough to keep Panther Creek from its intended uses by people and wildlife. Because of this, the City carefully tracks nutrients in Panther Creek. This river also has too many nutrients and has a Nutrient Sensitive Waters Management Strategy. Once water leaves Falls Lake, it flows into the Neuse River. The State has created a special set of rules, known as the Falls Lake Nutrient Management Strategy. This lake has recently had problems caused by extra nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus). Water from Panther Creek flows into Falls Lake. Panther Creek's high fecal coliform bacteria levels contributed to this score.

Panther Creek was given a score of 81 in 2019. In years when staff is able to take a wide variety of tests, the watershed is also given a score. The health and cleanliness of the watershed is reported in Durham’s annual State of Our Streams Report. Stormwater Services staff tracks water quality at one site in Panther Creek. Then it flows into the Neuse River and then the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound before emptying into the ocean. It is less developed than most of the city, although this is quickly changing as new construction projects have begun south of Interstate 85. The Panther Creek watershed is located in the northeastern part of Durham, south of Geer Street. There is a low spot on West Fulton Road slightly east of the bridge, that during a 25-year and higher flood, would overtop the right bank of the creek and flow over the low spot in the road.Land that drains into Panther Creek is known as its watershed. This is due to the undersized span and the height above the creek. The bridge over the creek on West Fulton Road (County Route 4) is prone to debris jams and overflowing during flood events. The agency also adds a '(TS)', indicating that the stream's waters are ideal for trout spawning. DEC rates the water quality of the stream as Class C, suitable for fishing and non-contact human recreation. Results of the tests showed non-impacted conditions, which are consistent with a previous test conducted in 2000 at this site. In 2005, a biological assessment of the creek was performed in Breakabeen by State Route 30. The trail then followed Charlotte Creek from the lake and ended at the Susquehanna River. It then followed Panther to its source and continued on over the ridge to Summit Lake. In the 1700s and earlier, a main indian trail began in Middleburgh and followed the Schoharie Creek upstream to Panther Creek.

Pather creek