Hendersonville, NC: 16 Health Violations — 60/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Hendersonville's water quality grade in NC reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Hendersonville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Hendersonville Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 88 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0034 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,625 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.48 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Hendersonville
Across Hendersonville, NC, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 8 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Hendersonville, North Carolina (population ~72,088), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 239,196 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 16 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hendersonville: C (60/100)
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
Hendersonville water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0034 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 50 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 30 | 4 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 20 | 4 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 4 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28739 | C | 22 | 4 | City of Hendersonville, |
| 28791 | C | 22 | 4 | City of Hendersonville, |
| 28792 | C | 22 | 4 | City of Hendersonville, |
| 28793 | C | 22 | 4 | City of Hendersonville, |
All ZIP Codes in Hendersonville
- 28739 [C] — 22 violations ⚠
- 28791 [C] — 22 violations ⚠
- 28792 [C] — 22 violations ⚠
- 28793 [C] — 22 violations ⚠
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.
Health Outcomes in Hendersonville
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
Top Contaminants in Hendersonville Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Hendersonville
With 53% 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
The character of Hendersonville's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1985 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Hendersonville 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Hendersonville Homeowners
Property equity in Hendersonville sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Hendersonville. The estimated $2,350–$5,700 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 49% above the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Hendersonville
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Hendersonville have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 53% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Hendersonville
The NFIP claim record for Hendersonville — 334 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 75% 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.
Hendersonville has a moderate flood history with 334 FEMA claims averaging $40,237 per payout. 75% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$3,625</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 Hendersonville
- 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. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Hendersonville's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 53% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hendersonville, NC