Water Quality in Greenville, NC: 20 Violations - Grade A
Grade A · Score 89/100 · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-07-18
Greenville's water meets all EPA standards with no health-based violations.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-07-18
The public EPA compliance record for Greenville, NC holds 20 documented water violations - sourced from the federal Safe Drinking Water Information System, which tracks every reportable event for registered public water systems in the state.
Water Quality Map: Greenville, NC
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Greenville
Water quality varies across Greenville's 5 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27834 | B | 79 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 27858 | B | 79 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 27835 | A | 94 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 27836 | A | 94 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 27833 | A | 98 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Greenville.
Water Quality Overview
Greenville, North Carolina receives a water quality grade of A with an overall score of 89 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 11 water systems serving Greenville have accumulated 20 EPA violations, including 5 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 5 ZIP codes serving approximately 111,331 people.
What Grade A Means
A grade of A indicates excellent compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Greenville's water systems have maintained strong performance in both contaminant monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Greenville water systems is 0.0008 mg/L - within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
Water Systems Serving Greenville
Greenville is served by 11 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 111,331 people across 5 ZIP codes.
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
The EPA has taken 50 enforcement actions against water systems serving Greenville. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Greenville
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
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 Greenville Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Greenville's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 10 | 5 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 5 | 5 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Greenville:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 14 |
| 2025 | 5 | 5 |
Violations have decreased from 14 in 2024 to 5 in 2025, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 21 enforcement actions against water systems serving Greenville. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-11-25 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-10-01 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-09-12 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-09-10 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-08-29 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-08-21 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-08-08 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-08-08 | State Filed Suit |
| 2025-08-08 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-08-01 | State Filed Judgment |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-11-25.
Greenville vs. Nearby North Carolina Cities
How Greenville's water quality compares to similar cities in North Carolina:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | A | 20 | 11 | 111,331 |
| Gastonia | B | 45 | 12 | 112,352 |
| Chapel Hill | B | 255 | 10 | 107,660 |
| Mamers | C | 0 | 1 | 116,892 |
Recommended Water Filters for Greenville
Based on contaminants detected in Greenville's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)
- Removes: Haloacetic Acid HAA5
- Effectiveness: 60-80%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Greenville
Water quality varies across Greenville's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27834 | 79 | B | 4 | 1 |
| 27858 | 79 | B | 4 | 1 |
| 27835 | 94 | A | 4 | 1 |
| 27836 | 94 | A | 4 | 1 |
| 27833 | 98 | A | 4 | 1 |
Common Questions About Greenville Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Greenville, North Carolina:
Is Greenville water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Greenville's 11 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Greenville tap water? Greenville's water receives a grade of A (89/100). There are 5 health-based violations - consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Greenville? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, under-sink or whole-house) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Greenville vs. North Carolina Average
Understanding how Greenville 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 Greenville.
ZIP Codes in Greenville
Greenville spans 5 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 27833. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. 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
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe - Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade A is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.