Durham, NC: 32 Health Violations — 90/100 (2026)
16 ZIP codes · 13 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current NC EPA data, Durham's tap water sits in the high-safety tier.
How Durham Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Durham, NC
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Durham.
Durham Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 512 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0056 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,388 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.47.
Water Systems Serving Durham
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Durham, NC — out of 13 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 16 ZIP codes in Durham, North Carolina (population ~313,633), covering 13 community water systems serving approximately 1,312,013 people region-wide.
16 of 16 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 32 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Durham: A (90/100)
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
Durham water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0056 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 16 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 187 | 16 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 119 | 16 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 68 | 16 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 51 | 16 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 51 | 16 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27701 | A | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
| 27702 | A | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
| 27703 | A | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
| 27704 | B | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
| 27705 | B | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
| 27706 | A | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
| 27707 | B | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
| 27708 | A | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
| 27709 | A | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
| 27710 | A | 32 | 2 | City of Durham, |
All ZIP Codes in Durham
- 27701 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27702 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27703 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27704 [B] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27705 [B] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27706 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27707 [B] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27708 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27709 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27710 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27711 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27712 [B] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27713 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27715 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27717 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
- 27722 [A] — 32 violations ⚠
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 Durham
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 Durham
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Durham: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Placing remediation in the context of Durham's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Durham are relatively low compared to home values. The $875–$2,144 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 58% above the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Durham
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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Durham
A moderate NFIP record for Durham — 436 insurance claims paired with 56% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Durham has a moderate flood history with 436 FEMA claims averaging $17,640 per payout. 56% 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>$1,388</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 Durham, NC