Cooleemee, NC Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
State safety rankings put Cooleemee, NC near the lower tier — below-average compliance on record.
How Cooleemee Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Cooleemee Water
- Homes built before 1986: 94% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.54 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Cooleemee
Water service in Cooleemee, NC is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cooleemee, North Carolina (population ~921), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 31,543 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Cooleemee — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cooleemee: D (53/100)
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
Cooleemee water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Cooleemee
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27014 | D | DAVIE COUNTY WATER SYSTEM | 31,543 |
All ZIP Codes in Cooleemee
- 27014 [D]
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 Cooleemee
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 Cooleemee
With 94% 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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Cooleemee's median build year of 1902 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Cooleemee were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Cooleemee Homeowners
Given current Cooleemee valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Cooleemee are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 41% below the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Cooleemee
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 Cooleemee have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 94% 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 Cooleemee
- 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 94% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cooleemee, NC