Cornelius, NC: 1 Violation — 88/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike many cities its size in NC, Cornelius 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 Cornelius Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Cornelius Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 15% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.72.
Water Systems Serving Cornelius
Cornelius, NC is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 6 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cornelius, North Carolina (population ~31,021), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 1,165,110 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cornelius: A (88/100)
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
Cornelius water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28031 | A | 1 | 0 | Bahia Bay S/d |
All ZIP Codes in Cornelius
- 28031 [A] — 1 violation
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.
CDC Health Data for Cornelius
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Cornelius
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Cornelius'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
Newer construction dominates Cornelius's residential inventory, as reflected in a median build year of 2008. The practical implication is that lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — a pre-1986 standard now federally prohibited — are an exception rather than the rule in this city, though they remain present in the older fraction of the housing stock.
Most homes in Cornelius 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.
Cornelius: Remediation Cost in Perspective
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Cornelius 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 Cornelius are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 111% above the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Cornelius
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.
Whenever aggregate samples pass the federal action benchmark and pre-rule housing — 15% in Cornelius — represents a smaller fraction, lead occupies a lower priority on the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Cornelius
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Cornelius falls in moderate-exposure territory — 21 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Cornelius has a moderate flood history with 21 FEMA claims averaging $8,466 per payout. 100% 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>$2,100</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 Cornelius, NC