Apex, NC: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 65/100
3 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Apex: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Apex's water quality grade in NC reflects a middle-ground assessment - service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Apex Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Apex Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 138 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0025 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 16% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,067 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.55.
Apex's Water Providers
Throughout Apex, NC, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 8 total systems - independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
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Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Apex, North Carolina (population ~91,710), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 430,300 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 3 ZIP codes.
3 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Apex: C (65/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Apex water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0025 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 3 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 40 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 10 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 3 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27539 | D | 131 | 1 | Holly Springs, Town of |
| 27523 | B | 10 | 3 | Apex, Town of |
| 27502 | C | 3 | 1 | Apex, Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Apex
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Apex Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Apex's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Apex Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The median home in Apex was built in 2006, after the federal ban on lead solder in plumbing. Most of the housing stock postdates that cutoff, placing typical plumbing risk on the lower end - though any home built before 1986 still warrants individual testing.
Most homes in Apex were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Apex
Given current Apex valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low - most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Apex are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,317–$3,200 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 110% above the North Carolina average.
Apex: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Since the federal solder ban took effect, new plumbing has been built without that pathway, and Apex's pre-rule stock at 16% reflects a contained footprint.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Apex: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Apex contains 10 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $10,959. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$2,067</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Apex
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Apex's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Apex, NC