Horse Shoe, NC: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Horse Shoe, EPA compliance records fall well below NC averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Horse Shoe Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Horse Shoe Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 43% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.48 — above typical levels.
Horse Shoe's Water Providers
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Horse Shoe, NC's residential water connections out of 4 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Horse Shoe, North Carolina (population ~3,026), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 237,248 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Horse Shoe — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Horse Shoe: D (53/100)
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
Horse Shoe water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Horse Shoe
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28742 | D | HENDERSONVILLE, CITY OF | 79,278 |
All ZIP Codes in Horse Shoe
- 28742 [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.
Horse Shoe 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
Horse Shoe Infrastructure Age
With 43% 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 residential housing tracks directly to construction era: pre-1986 homes may have lead-soldered copper joints; pre-1970 homes may have lead pipes outright. Horse Shoe's median build year of 1982 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 Horse Shoe 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Horse Shoe
Looking at how documented remediation costs fit within Horse Shoe property values, the equity share lands in the moderate tier — a finding that positions the household financial perspective between routine maintenance and a significant budget commitment, where most homeowners can successfully address documented issues by treating the expense as a planned financial priority rather than an unexpected one.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Horse Shoe. The estimated $2,600–$5,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 40% above the North Carolina average.
Horse Shoe: 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.
When older housing represents 43% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Horse Shoe address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Horse Shoe: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood risk in Horse Shoe occupies the middle ground: 6 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Horse Shoe has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $74,079 per payout. 100% 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>$3,700</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 Horse Shoe
- 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 43% 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 Horse Shoe, NC