Hillsborough, NC - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Hillsborough Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 70 violations since 2021.
- Homes built before 1986: 42% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.52.
Water Systems Serving Hillsborough
Counting every public water system linked to Hillsborough, NC in federal data gives 5. The list below keeps the 3 largest by reported population served, a figure that covers each system's whole service area rather than the city alone. A household's own supplier is named on its water bill.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hillsborough, North Carolina (population ~28,546), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 443,260 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Hillsborough water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 14 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 12 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Total organic carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Nitrate | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27278 | — | 70 | 4 | Hillsborough, Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Hillsborough
- 27278 - 70 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Hillsborough
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Hillsborough
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Hillsborough's Housing Stock?
With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
For a household in Hillsborough, a certified lab test of tap water answers what the median build year of 1998 cannot.
Most homes in Hillsborough were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Hillsborough: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low tier for Hillsborough: remediation estimated at up to 1% of what homes are worth.
Estimated remediation costs in Hillsborough can be compared with local home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 61% above the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hillsborough
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Hillsborough
Historical NFIP data for Hillsborough contains 29 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $69,268. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $600 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hillsborough, NC