Charlotte, NC: 888 Health Violations — 81/100 (2026)
74 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike many cities its size in NC, Charlotte keeps health-based violation rates low — systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Charlotte Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Charlotte, NC
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Charlotte score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Charlotte Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 2812 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,172 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.83.
Who Supplies Your Water in Charlotte
Throughout Charlotte, NC, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 10 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 74 ZIP codes in Charlotte, North Carolina (population ~967,202), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 1,492,602 people region-wide.
74 of 74 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 888 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Charlotte: B (81/100)
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
Charlotte water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 74 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 975 | 74 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 450 | 74 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 375 | 74 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 300 | 74 |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 300 | 74 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28201 | B | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
| 28202 | B | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
| 28203 | B | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
| 28204 | B | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
| 28205 | C | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
| 28206 | B | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
| 28207 | C | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
| 28208 | B | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
| 28209 | C | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
| 28210 | B | 38 | 12 | Charlotte Water |
All ZIP Codes in Charlotte
- 28201 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28202 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28203 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28204 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28205 [C] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28206 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28207 [C] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28208 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28209 [C] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28210 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28211 [C] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28212 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28213 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28214 [C] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28215 [C] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28216 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28217 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28218 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28219 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28220 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28221 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28222 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28223 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28224 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28226 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28227 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28228 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28229 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28230 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28231 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28232 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28233 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28234 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28235 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28236 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28237 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28241 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28242 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28243 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28244 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28246 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28247 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28250 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28253 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28254 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28255 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28256 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28258 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28260 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28262 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28263 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28265 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28266 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28269 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28270 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28271 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28272 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28273 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28274 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28275 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28277 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28278 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28280 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28281 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28282 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28284 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28285 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28287 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28288 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28289 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28290 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28296 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28297 [B] — 38 violations ⚠
- 28299 [B] — 38 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 Charlotte
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 Charlotte Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Charlotte Homeowners
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Charlotte is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Charlotte are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,062–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 74% above the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Charlotte
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.
Lead risk in Charlotte appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Charlotte
Substantially more flood exposure than most communities appears in Charlotte's NFIP record — 2792 documented claims and 45% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones. That exposure level makes the water-quality implications of flooding an active planning consideration rather than a background one.
Charlotte has a significant flood history with 2,792 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $22,161 per claim. With 45% 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>$2,172</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Charlotte, NC