In current NC EPA data, Durham's tap water sits in the high-safety tier.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

Water Quality in Durham

We track home safety signals for 16 ZIP codes in Durham, North Carolina. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 8 ZIP codes and 18 water systems.

8 of 8 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 171 total, including 4 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: B (77/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L
• 0 of 8 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
• 46% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 10% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1985
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 47/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 14%
• 4 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 46% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Durham residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

137,039 total housing units across 16 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Durham:

• 437 flood insurance claims on record
• $10,820,671 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
• 351 claims with payment data
• 86 claims without reported payment fields
• $30,828 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
• Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: AE (A/V-family)
• 5 of 9 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
• Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone among 16 ZIP records with zone data: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 16 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

What Durham Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Durham has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Durham

• 27701 [B] - 2 violations
• 27702
• 27703 [C] - 102 violations ⚠
• 27704 [B] - 3 violations
• 27705 [B] - 23 violations ⚠
• 27706
• 27707 [B] - 8 violations
• 27708 - 2 violations
• 27709
• 27710
• 27711
• 27712 [B] - 7 violations
• 27713 [B] - 24 violations ⚠
• 27715
• 27717
• 27722

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Durham, NC?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Durham has an average score of 77/100 (grade B) across 7 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 171 recorded EPA violations across 8 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 4 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Durham have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Durham is 0.0010 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 8 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 46% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Durham at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 437 flood insurance claim records in Durham ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $30,828 among 351 claims with payment data. 86 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 9 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 5 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Durham homes?

46% of Durham housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 10% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 14%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Durham water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Surface Water Treatment Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Lead. Across 8 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 8 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Housing Age Profile

Since 1986, federal law has prohibited lead solder in new residential plumbing. With a median build year of 1985, much of Durham's housing falls on the safer side of that line - though homes built before 1986 still warrant testing regardless of the city-wide profile.

1985

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Durham 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.

Protecting Children from Lead in Durham

0.001

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.

Lead risk in Durham appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

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

Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Durham

437

Total FEMA Flood Claims

$30,828

Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data

56%

A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Durham contains 437 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $30,828. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 56% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

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.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.