Castalia, NC Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in NC, Castalia carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Castalia Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Castalia Water
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.63 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Castalia
Federal records list 1 water system serving Castalia, NC. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Castalia, North Carolina (population ~2,964), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 7,675 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Castalia — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Castalia: C (66/100)
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
Castalia water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Castalia
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27816 | C | CENTRAL NASH WATER & SEWER | 7,675 |
All ZIP Codes in Castalia
- 27816 [C]
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 Castalia
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Castalia
With 45% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
When trying to understand water quality at the household level, the year a home was built often matters more than any city-wide water report. That's because the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing, and the earlier phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, created sharp discontinuities in residential plumbing risk by construction era. Castalia's median build year of 1982 puts the city in the transition zone: a substantial share of the housing stock postdates the solder ban, but a comparable fraction predates it — with the oldest homes carrying both the solder risk and the pipe risk simultaneously. Whether any individual household sits on the safer or riskier side of these thresholds is the key question, and it's one the city-wide median alone can't answer.
Most homes in Castalia 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Castalia Homeowners
Across Castalia, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Castalia are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 52% below the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Castalia
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Castalia have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 45% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Castalia
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 45% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Castalia, NC