CITY REPORT NC

Dillsboro, NC: 1 Violation — 81/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03

Tap water in Dillsboro, NC scores well — low violation counts, above-average safety grade.

How Dillsboro Compares

Dillsboro81/100
North Carolina avg73/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
B · 81
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$2,200
Est. Remediation

Key Facts for Dillsboro Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 68% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 13.39 — above typical levels.

Dillsboro's Water Providers

Supply infrastructure in Dillsboro, NC runs through a single dominant provider — the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.

Dillsboro Water Utilities, Inc.
Serves ~37 people · 1 violation
81
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Dillsboro, North Carolina, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 78 people.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Dillsboro: 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

Dillsboro water systems draw from: 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 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

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
28725 B 1 0 Dillsboro Water Utilities, Inc.

All ZIP Codes in Dillsboro

  • 28725 [B] — 1 violation

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Dillsboro Community Health Snapshot

11.1%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.1%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
18.3%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 11.1% ↑
Diabetes 12.1% ↑
Mental Health 18.3% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

What's in Dillsboro's Water?

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 violations
Disinfection Byproducts · EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L
Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Dillsboro Infrastructure Age

1978
Median Build Year
68%
Built Before 1986
47%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 68% 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

Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Dillsboro — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1978 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.

1978
Median Year Built
68%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
47%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (47%) 1970–1986 (21%) Post-1986 (32%)

Over half of homes in Dillsboro 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.

Dillsboro: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

68%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.005
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 68% of Dillsboro homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Dillsboro: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

100% of ZIP codes in Dillsboro are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 8 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.

8
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$29,613
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

Dillsboro has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $29,613 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>$2,200</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Dillsboro, NC?
Dillsboro has an average water safety score of 81/100 (Grade B). 1 EPA violation has been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Dillsboro have?
Dillsboro water systems have a total of 1 EPA violation. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Dillsboro water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Dillsboro is 0.005 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Dillsboro compare to North Carolina average?
Dillsboro has an average water safety score of 81/100, which is above the North Carolina state average of 73/100.
How many water systems serve Dillsboro?
Dillsboro is served by 1 public water system across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 78 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Dillsboro?
Estimated remediation costs in Dillsboro average $2,200 per household, ranging from $1,200 to $3,300. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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