East Spencer, NC Water Safety: 99/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water monitoring data for East Spencer shows a consistently clean picture in NC — few violations on record, compliance well above the median.
How East Spencer Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
East Spencer Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 62% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 13.95 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving East Spencer
Consolidated water delivery characterizes East Spencer, NC: among 1 system in federal records, one utility holds the dominant service position — carrying the rate-setting authority, the infrastructure obligations, and the EPA reporting burden for most residential addresses.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in East Spencer, North Carolina (population ~12), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,550 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in East Spencer — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for East Spencer: A (99/100)
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
East Spencer water systems draw from: Surface water.
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)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28039 | A | East Spencer, Town of | 1,550 |
All ZIP Codes in East Spencer
- 28039 [A]
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 East Spencer
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
How Old Is East Spencer's Housing Stock?
With 62% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in East Spencer, where the median build year is 1985, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in East Spencer 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in East Spencer
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.
Wherever 62% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in East Spencer — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for East Spencer, NC