Garner, NC: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 50/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Garner: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (9 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Drinking water quality in Garner has lagged behind NC benchmarks - documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Garner Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Garner Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 80 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0093 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 27% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.55.
Who Supplies Your Water in Garner
Garner, NC draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 5 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Garner, North Carolina (population ~55,201), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 750,475 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Garner: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Garner water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0093 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 42 | 1 |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 24 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 16 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27529 | D | 80 | 9 | Johnston Company-west |
All ZIP Codes in Garner
- 27529 [D] - 80 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Garner
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
Top Contaminants in Garner Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Garner
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Why does housing age matter for water safety? Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints - a practice banned that year. Garner's median build year of 1990 places much of the city's housing in the post-ban era, reducing that specific risk pathway for most residents.
Most homes in Garner 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Garner Homeowners
When remediation costs are measured against Garner home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier - addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Garner are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,500–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% above the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Garner
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.
Pre-rule stock in Garner accounts for 27% of the inventory - a modest fraction - and citywide samples land safely beneath the federal action mark.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Garner
Historical NFIP data for Garner contains 43 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $20,611. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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. The <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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.
What You Can Do in Garner
- 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 Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Garner's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Garner, NC