Clayton, NC: 12 Violations — 83/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Clayton, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above NC's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Clayton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Clayton Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 14% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.6 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Clayton
Federal records list 9 water systems tied to Clayton, NC. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Clayton, North Carolina (population ~84,630), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 154,686 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Clayton: B (83/100)
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
Clayton water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Clayton
- 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): 3 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 3 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27520 | B | 4 | 0 | Clayton, Town of |
| 27527 | B | 4 | 0 | Clayton, Town of |
| 27528 | A | 4 | 0 | Clayton, Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Clayton
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 Clayton
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 Clayton Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Clayton
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 home in Clayton was built in 1997, after the federal ban on lead solder in plumbing. Most of the housing stock postdates that cutoff, placing typical plumbing risk on the lower end — though any home built before 1986 still warrants individual testing.
Most homes in Clayton 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 Clayton Homeowners
Equity impact data for Clayton lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Clayton are relatively low compared to home values. The $933–$2,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 53% above the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Clayton
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.
Confirming what flows from a specific faucet still requires a one-home draw, even where Clayton averages stay clean and the pre-rule housing share holds at 14%.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Clayton
67% of ZIP codes in Clayton are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 22 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Clayton has a moderate flood history with 22 FEMA claims averaging $5,412 per payout. 67% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$1,400</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 Clayton, NC