High Shoals, NC: 1 Violation — 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Residents of High Shoals generally live with tap water that beats the NC safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.
How High Shoals Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for High Shoals Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.43 — above typical levels.
High Shoals's Water Providers
Federal records list 1 water system serving High Shoals, NC. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in High Shoals, North Carolina (population ~297), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 729 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for High Shoals: B (72/100)
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
High Shoals water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for High Shoals
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28077 | B | 1 | 0 | City of High Shoals, |
All ZIP Codes in High Shoals
- 28077 [B] — 1 violation
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.
High Shoals 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
What's in High Shoals's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
High Shoals Infrastructure Age
With 66% 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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. High Shoals's median build year of 1972 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in High Shoals 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 High Shoals
Because property values in High Shoals comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in High Shoals are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 45% below the North Carolina average.
High Shoals: 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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 66% of High Shoals stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for High Shoals, NC