Greensboro, NC: 58 Health Violations - 90/100 (2026)
29 ZIP codes · 14 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Greensboro: A.
No federal data flags a major home-safety concern for this ZIP.
In current NC EPA data, Greensboro's tap water sits in the high-safety tier.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Facts for Greensboro Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1073 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
Water Quality in Greensboro
We track water quality and home safety data for 29 ZIP codes in Greensboro, North Carolina, covering 14 community water systems serving approximately 332,896 people.
29 of 29 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 1,073 total, including 58 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: A (90/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 232 | 29 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 203 | 29 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 203 | 29 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 145 | 29 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 116 | 29 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L
- 57% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 12% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1977
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 44/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 16%
- 4 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 57% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Greensboro residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
148,535 total housing units across 29 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 7,776 | 5% |
| 1940–1949 | 5,507 | 4% |
| 1950–1959 | 15,266 | 10% |
| 1960–1969 | 16,764 | 11% |
| 1970–1979 | 20,489 | 14% |
| 1980–1989 | 23,281 | 16% |
| 1990–1999 | 24,018 | 16% |
| 2000–2009 | 22,435 | 15% |
| 2010–2019 | 12,535 | 8% |
| 2020+ | 464 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Greensboro:
- 567 flood insurance claims on record
- $8,591,866 total paid out
- $15,153 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 5 of 29 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 29 ZIP codes
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27395 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
| 27411 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
| 27412 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
| 27413 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
| 27415 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
| 27416 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
| 27417 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
| 27419 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
| 27425 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
| 27427 | 93/100 | A | 37 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27408 | 80/100 | B | 37 |
| 27407 | 80/100 | B | 37 |
| 27429 | 85/100 | A | 37 |
| 27420 | 85/100 | A | 37 |
| 27410 | 85/100 | A | 37 |
| 27406 | 85/100 | A | 37 |
| 27405 | 85/100 | A | 37 |
| 27403 | 85/100 | A | 37 |
| 27401 | 85/100 | A | 37 |
| 27498 | 90/100 | A | 37 |
What Greensboro Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Greensboro has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Greensboro
- 27395 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27401 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27402 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27403 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27404 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27405 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27406 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27407 [B] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27408 [B] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27409 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27410 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27411 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27412 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27413 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27415 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27416 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27417 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27419 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27420 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27425 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27427 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27429 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27435 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27438 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27455 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27495 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27497 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27498 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
- 27499 [A] - 37 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Greensboro, NC?
Greensboro has an average Home Safety Score of 90/100 (grade A) across 29 ZIP codes. There are 1073 recorded EPA violations, 58 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Greensboro have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Greensboro is 0.0020 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 57% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Greensboro at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 567 flood insurance claims in Greensboro ZIP codes, with an average payout of $15,153. 5 of 29 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Greensboro homes?
57% of Greensboro housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 12% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 16%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Greensboro water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Stage 1 DBP Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule. Across 29 ZIP codes, 29 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Greensboro Infrastructure Age
Median build year of 1977 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Post-1986 construction is where the lower lead-solder risk lives, because that's when the federal ban on lead solder in plumbing took effect. In Greensboro, where the median build year is 1977, the housing stock falls broadly on the newer side of that threshold - a distribution that moderates aggregate plumbing-era risk compared to older housing markets.
Most homes in Greensboro 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.
Greensboro: 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.
Lead risk in Greensboro appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Greensboro: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The NFIP claim record for Greensboro - 567 filed incidents - reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways - runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow - all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.
Greensboro has a moderate flood history with 567 FEMA claims. 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.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Greensboro, NC