North Carolina
Water quality data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
Water Systems
23,923
Active public water systems
Population Served
9.90M
Residents with piped water
Lead Violations
494
Systems exceeding 15 ppb
Copper Violations
908
Lead & Copper Rule
Average Lead Level
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
MCLG (health goal): 0 ppb
Average across 3090 systems with reported lead data.
Violations Detected
1402 water systems in North Carolina have reported violations under the Lead and Copper Rule. These utilities are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
Schools & Daycares
1 school or daycare water system identified in this state.
Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure. Schools are required to test for lead and remediate violations.
Water Systems: Highest Lead Levels
| System Name | City | Population | Lead Level | Status | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOPE MILLS | 10,121 | 71.00 ppb | Violation | 1992-12-31 | |
| BAYBORO | 19,665 | 10.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| KERNERSVILLE | 11,686 | 7.00 ppb | OK | 1993-06-30 | |
| GARNER | 18,000 | 6.00 ppb | OK | 1992-12-31 | |
| KANNAPOLIS | 27,000 | 5.00 ppb | OK | 1992-12-31 | |
| CAMP LEJEUNE | 37,500 | 4.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| CAMP LEJEUNE | 11,500 | 4.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| KILL DEVIL HILLS | 28,732 | 3.90 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| BURGAW | 31,600 | 3.80 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| MOUNT HOLLY | 19,200 | 3.50 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 | |
| KING | 23,370 | 3.38 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| MAPLE | 24,130 | 3.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| BUTNER | 18,555 | 3.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| CARY | 11,587 | 3.00 ppb | OK | 2024-06-30 | |
| BOONE | 19,811 | 2.50 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 |
Showing top 15 of 2983 systems with lead data. Action level: 15 ppb.
Systems With Active Violations
These water systems have exceeded EPA limits and must take corrective action.
RAEFORD · Pop. 36,640
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
CARTHAGE · Pop. 30,377
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
MAPLE · Pop. 24,130
Lead: 3.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
NEWPORT · Pop. 19,512
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
CARY · Pop. 15,220
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
RAEFORD · Pop. 13,378
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
HICKORY · Pop. 13,064
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
ABERDEEN · Pop. 12,473
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
ASHEVILLE · Pop. 10,122
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
HOPE MILLS · Pop. 10,121
Lead: 71.00 ppb (1992-12-31)
Water Source Types
Air Quality
GoodAvg AQI
45.5
PM2.5
6.5 µg/m³
Unhealthy Days
8
Primary Pollutant
Ozone
Source: EPA AirNow & American Lung Association 2024 State of the Air. AQI scale: 0–50 Good · 51–100 Moderate · 101–150 Sensitive Groups · 151+ Unhealthy.
PFAS Contamination
High DetectionPFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” are a group of synthetic chemicals that persist indefinitely in the environment and human body. The EPA set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS in April 2024. View national PFAS tracker →
Systems Tested
348
PFAS Detected
158
Detection Rate
45.4%
Exceeding MCL (4 ppt)
42(12.1%)
Highest recorded level: 680 ppt (EPA MCL: 4 ppt). Most widespread contamination region nationally (EWG). Chemours Fayetteville Works plant discharges GenX/HFPO-DA into Cape Fear River. Major hotspot affecting Wilmington area water supply