Gold Hill, NC Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across Gold Hill produce average compliance results for NC overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How Gold Hill Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Gold Hill Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 57% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.95 — above typical levels.
Gold Hill's Water Providers
In Gold Hill, NC, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 3 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gold Hill, North Carolina (population ~3,056), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 49,954 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Gold Hill — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gold Hill: C (66/100)
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
Gold Hill water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Gold Hill
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28071 | C | SALISBURY-ROWAN | 45,329 |
All ZIP Codes in Gold Hill
- 28071 [C]
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.
Gold Hill Community Health Snapshot
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
Gold Hill Infrastructure Age
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
What does a median build year of 1987 mean for water safety in Gold Hill? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Gold Hill 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Gold Hill
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Gold Hill, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Gold Hill are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 11% below the North Carolina average.
Gold Hill: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
If 57% of the Gold Hill inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Gold Hill
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 57% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Gold Hill, NC