Fontana Dam, NC Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems in Fontana Dam, NC serve households with few reported safety events.
How Fontana Dam Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Fontana Dam Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.64 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Fontana Dam
Consolidated water delivery characterizes Fontana Dam, 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 Fontana Dam, North Carolina (population ~55), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 950 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Fontana Dam — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fontana Dam: B (72/100)
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
Fontana Dam water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Fontana Dam
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28733 | B | Town of Fontana Dam | 950 |
All ZIP Codes in Fontana Dam
- 28733 [B]
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 Fontana Dam
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 Fontana Dam's Housing Stock?
With 69% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1973 places Fontana Dam's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Fontana Dam 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.
Fontana Dam: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Fontana Dam are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Fontana Dam are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% above the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Fontana Dam
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 69% of Fontana Dam stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Fontana Dam, NC