Hatteras, NC Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Hatteras shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within NC — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Hatteras Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Hatteras Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 33% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.87 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Hatteras
Water delivery in Hatteras, NC is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hatteras, North Carolina (population ~381), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 7,586 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Hatteras — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hatteras: D (50/100)
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
Hatteras water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Hatteras
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27943 | D | DARE CO-CAPE HATTERAS WATER | 5,486 |
All ZIP Codes in Hatteras
- 27943 [D]
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.
CDC Health Data for Hatteras
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
How Old Is Hatteras's Housing Stock?
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
Plumbing risk in residential housing tracks directly to construction era: pre-1986 homes may have lead-soldered copper joints; pre-1970 homes may have lead pipes outright. Hatteras's median build year of 1997 places the city in a moderate risk zone where neither era dominates the housing inventory. Understanding which side of the 1986 threshold a specific property falls on — and whether it predates 1970 — is the most actionable starting point for a homeowner trying to assess their own tap water exposure.
Most homes in Hatteras 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hatteras
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 33% pre-rule share in Hatteras keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Hatteras
Flood risk in Hatteras reaches a level where its interaction with water quality becomes a concrete planning concern rather than an abstract possibility. NFIP data records 1337 claims, and 100% of the area's ZIP codes are within FEMA-designated flood zones. At this exposure level, the mechanisms connecting major flood events to water quality disruption — treatment overload, well contamination, distribution backflow — have likely been activated repeatedly over the multi-decade NFIP tracking window.
Hatteras has a significant flood history with 1,337 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $26,786 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,800</strong> remediation cost per household.
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.
What You Can Do in Hatteras
- 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 33% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- 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 Hatteras, NC