Asheville, NC: Lead Above EPA Limits — 26/100 (2026)
11 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to NC averages, Asheville scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm and the city's grade reflects that ongoing shortfall.
How Asheville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Asheville, NC
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Asheville score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Asheville Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 275 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0293 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $4,493 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.54 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Asheville
Water service in Asheville, NC is split across 3 utilities out of 6 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 11 ZIP codes in Asheville, North Carolina, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 139,361 people.
11 of 11 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 77 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Asheville: F (26/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Asheville water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0293 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 11 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 11 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 72 | 11 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 72 | 11 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 11 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 11 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 24 | 11 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28801 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
| 28802 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
| 28803 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
| 28804 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
| 28805 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
| 28806 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
| 28810 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
| 28813 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
| 28814 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
| 28815 | F | 25 | 7 | City of Asheville |
All ZIP Codes in Asheville
- 28801 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28802 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28803 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28804 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28805 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28806 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28810 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28813 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28814 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28815 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
- 28816 [F] — 25 violations ⚠
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
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Asheville
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
Top Contaminants in Asheville Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Asheville Homeowners
At current valuations, Asheville falls in the moderate remediation-share tier — a level where treating this as a budgeted line item rather than an ad-hoc expense is the practical approach.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Asheville. The estimated $2,980–$7,033 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 73% above the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Asheville
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.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water — especially if your home was built before 1986.
<strong>11 ZIP codes</strong> (100% of the city) exceed the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Asheville
Asheville's NFIP record reflects high flood exposure — 759 claims spanning a long history of significant events, with 64% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones. High flood frequency increases the probability of water quality disruptions at each point in the supply chain: treatment facilities, transmission infrastructure, and private wells all face elevated stress risk when flooding is a recurring feature rather than a rare exception.
Asheville has a significant flood history with 759 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $89,380 per claim. With 64% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$4,493</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Asheville
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Asheville's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Asheville, NC