Jacksonville, NC: 12 Health Violations — 81/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Jacksonville tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for NC — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Jacksonville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Jacksonville Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 57 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 43% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.96.
Jacksonville's Water Providers
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Jacksonville, NC — out of 6 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Jacksonville, North Carolina (population ~98,930), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 224,091 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 12 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Jacksonville: B (81/100)
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
Jacksonville water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0060 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 3 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 32 | 3 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 12 | 3 |
| Atrazine | Organic | 8 | 3 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 3 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28540 | B | 19 | 4 | Onslow Wtr and Sewer Authority |
| 28541 | A | 19 | 4 | Onslow Wtr and Sewer Authority |
| 28546 | B | 19 | 4 | Onslow Wtr and Sewer Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Jacksonville
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.
Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Jacksonville 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
Reading the housing data for Jacksonville, with a median build year of 1989, reveals a community where neither old nor new construction dominates. That balanced profile means lead-solder-era plumbing is present throughout a meaningful portion of the residential inventory — with risk concentrated in properties built before 1986 and most acute in those that predate 1970.
Most homes in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
Given current Jacksonville property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier — an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Jacksonville. The estimated $1,367–$3,767 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 10% below the North Carolina average.
Jacksonville: 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.
Wherever 43% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Jacksonville — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Jacksonville: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Jacksonville's NFIP record reflects high flood exposure — 565 claims spanning a long history of significant events, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones. High flood frequency increases the probability of water quality disruptions at each point in the supply chain: treatment facilities, transmission infrastructure, and private wells all face elevated stress risk when flooding is a recurring feature rather than a rare exception.
Jacksonville has a significant flood history with 565 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $25,725 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Jacksonville, NC