Elk Park, NC: 2 Violations — 69/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Elk Park lands near the NC median for water safety — compliance results are mixed, and the city's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability across service areas rather than one problem driving the whole picture.
How Elk Park Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Elk Park Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 57% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.57 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Elk Park
Federal records list 3 water systems tied to Elk Park, NC. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Elk Park, North Carolina, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 2,701 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 Elk Park: C (69/100)
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
Elk Park water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Elk Park
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28622 | C | 2 | 0 | Banner Elk, Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Elk Park
- 28622 [C] — 2 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 Elk Park
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 Elk Park
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Elk Park's Housing Stock?
With 57% 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 Elk Park — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1988 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Elk Park 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.
Elk Park: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity impact of remediation in Elk Park sits at a moderate level — real enough to plan for, within reach for most.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Elk Park. The estimated $1,800–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 27% below the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Elk Park
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 57% of Elk Park homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Elk Park
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Elk Park shows 20 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Elk Park has a moderate flood history with 20 FEMA claims averaging $63,600 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>$2,900</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.
What You Can Do in Elk Park
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Elk Park's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 57% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Elk Park, NC