Water Quality in Gastonia, NC: 102 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems
12 water systems · 3 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 102 violations across 3 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Gastonia. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Gastonia
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28056 | 66 | 4 | View report → |
| 28052 | 32 | 7 | View report → |
| 28054 | 27 | 3 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Gastonia, North Carolina has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 3 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 102 violations, including 11 health-based violations across 3 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Gastonia is 0.0200 mg/L - this exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 3 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 61% of homes built before 1986, Gastonia has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Gastonia
Gastonia is served by 12 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 112,352 people live in the area (5 ZIP codes, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list 27 enforcement actions against water systems serving Gastonia. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Gastonia
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Gastonia Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Gastonia's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 48 | 3 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 25 | 3 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 12 | 3 | Yes |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 9 | 1 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 8 | 3 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 3 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 7 | 3 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 2 | 2 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
The standard column shows the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) except for lead and copper, whose value is an action level that triggers corrective steps and is not an MCL. Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL and treatment-technique violations.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 24 enforcement actions against water systems serving Gastonia. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-11-17 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-11-17 | State Filed Suit |
| 2025-10-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-27 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-08-27 | State Filed Suit |
| 2025-08-27 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-08-15 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-07-02 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-04-04 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-04-04 | State Filed Suit |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-11-17.
Gastonia vs. Nearby North Carolina Cities
How Gastonia's water quality compares to similar cities in North Carolina:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia | 3 | 102 | 12 | 112,352 |
| Greenville | 2 | 30 | 6 | 111,331 |
| Chapel Hill | 4 | 28 | 10 | 107,660 |
| High Point | 5 | 21 | 10 | 124,819 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Gastonia
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Gastonia's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
Common Questions About Gastonia Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Gastonia, North Carolina:
Is Gastonia water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Gastonia's 12 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Gastonia tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 11 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Gastonia? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Gastonia vs. North Carolina Average
Understanding how Gastonia compares to the broader North Carolina average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Gastonia.
ZIP Codes in Gastonia
Gastonia spans 5 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 3 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.