Highfalls, NC Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Highfalls, NC reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Highfalls Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Highfalls Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 18% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 12.98 — above typical levels.
Highfalls's Water Providers
Water service in Highfalls, NC is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Highfalls, North Carolina (population ~25), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,579 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Highfalls — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Highfalls: C (66/100)
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
Highfalls water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Highfalls
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27259 | C | ROBBINS WATER SYSTEM | 1,579 |
All ZIP Codes in Highfalls
- 27259 [C]
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.
Highfalls 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
Highfalls Infrastructure Age
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
Copper plumbing joined with lead solder was standard practice through the mid-1980s — a design choice that federal regulators prohibited in 1986. Highfalls's residential inventory, centered around a median build year of 1992, is weighted toward the post-prohibition era. That context is relevant because the primary plumbing risk in older homes comes not from the municipal water supply but from what happens as water moves through lead-jointed pipes inside the structure — an exposure pathway that newer homes mostly avoid.
Most homes in Highfalls 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.
Highfalls: 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.
If aggregate samples sit below the EPA action level and just 18% of Highfalls's inventory comes from the pre-rule era, systemic lead is not a dominant local concern. The aggregate still cannot tell a homeowner what is actually flowing from a specific faucet on a specific morning, which is why an in-home draw exists as a separate measurement at the household tier.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Highfalls
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Highfalls, NC