Chapel Hill, NC - Home Safety Score unavailable
5 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Chapel Hill Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 28 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 39% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $650 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.52.
Water Systems Serving Chapel Hill
The 3 largest of 10 systems connected with Chapel Hill, NC are listed below.
Overview
We track home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (population ~107,660), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 458,931 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 4 of 5 ZIP codes.
4 of 4 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Chapel Hill water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0005 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 4 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
5 of 5 ZIP records with known zones are 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 10 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 9 | 4 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 7 | 3 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27516 | — | 19 | 2 | Orange Water & Sewer Authority |
| 27517 | — | 8 | 1 | Orange Water & Sewer Authority |
| 27514 | — | 6 | 0 | Orange Water & Sewer Authority |
| 27599 | — | 1 | 0 | Orange Water & Sewer Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Chapel Hill
- 27514 - 6 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27515
- 27516 - 19 violations ⚠
- 27517 - 8 violations ⚠
- 27599 - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
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.
CDC Health Data for Chapel Hill
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Chapel Hill
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Chapel Hill's Housing Stock?
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
For a household in Chapel Hill, a certified lab test of tap water answers what the median build year of 1990 cannot.
Most homes in Chapel Hill 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.
Chapel Hill: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low tier for Chapel Hill: remediation estimated at up to 1% of what homes are worth.
Estimated remediation costs in Chapel Hill can be compared with local home values. The $375–$1,100 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 143% above the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Chapel Hill
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.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Chapel Hill
Historical NFIP data for Chapel Hill contains 509 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $78,346. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 75% 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 $650 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Chapel Hill, NC