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.
For residents of Apex, NC, a C is a prompt to look up the report for their own ZIP code rather than a verdict on their tap.
How Apex Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Apex Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 138 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0025 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 16% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $967 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.55.
Apex's Water Providers
Among 8 systems linked to Apex, NC, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.
- D
- D
- D
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 of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 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
2 of 3 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 2. 1 of 3 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 40 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 10 | 2 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 3 |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 8 | 2 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 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). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
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 build year for Apex is 2006. A build year alone does not tell you what pipes or solder a home has.
Most homes in Apex were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Apex
Estimated remediation for Apex is a small fraction of median property value - one percent or less - though the ratio does not describe any single household.
Estimated remediation costs in Apex can be compared with local home values. The $567–$1,700 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 110% above the North Carolina average.
Apex: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Several limits apply to the lead numbers for Apex. The figure shown is an average of 90th-percentile results from ZIP codes in the city, and it is below 0.010 mg/L; the federal action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to an average like this one, and being below it does not make water free of lead. About 16% of local homes were built before 1986. A test at the home's own tap shows its level, and a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction is an option if a test finds lead.
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 $967 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. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Consumer Confidence Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Apex: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- 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