Water Quality in Clayton, NC: 29 Violations - Grade N/A
8 water systems · 2 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 29 violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Clayton. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Clayton
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27520 | 24 | 2 | View report → |
| 27527 | 8 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Clayton, North Carolina has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 2 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 29 violations, including 2 health-based violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Clayton water systems is 0.0055 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 2 ZIP records with known lead status.
Water Systems Serving Clayton
Clayton is served by 8 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 84,630 people across 3 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 20 enforcement actions against water systems serving Clayton. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Clayton
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Clayton Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Clayton's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 6 | 2 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 4 | 1 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 2 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 0.005 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 4 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 0.05 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Nitrite | Inorganic | 1 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Mercury | Inorganic | 0.002 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 14 enforcement actions against water systems serving Clayton. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-01-27 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-12-16 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-07-01 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-06-11 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-06-11 | State Filed Suit |
| 2025-06-11 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-06-07 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-06-07 | State Filed Suit |
| 2025-06-07 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-04-30 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-01-27.
Clayton vs. Nearby North Carolina Cities
How Clayton's water quality compares to similar cities in North Carolina:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | 2 | 29 | 8 | 84,630 |
| Salisbury | 3 | 12 | 9 | 84,184 |
| Monroe | 2 | 5 | 4 | 83,458 |
| Burlington | 2 | 83 | 7 | 86,528 |
Common Questions About Clayton Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Clayton, North Carolina:
Is Clayton water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Clayton's 8 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Clayton tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 2 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Clayton? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Clayton vs. North Carolina Average
Understanding how Clayton compares to the broader North Carolina average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Clayton.
ZIP Codes in Clayton
Clayton spans 3 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 2 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.