Kinston, NC: 40 Violations — 75/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Kinston's tap water quality puts it in NC's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Kinston Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Kinston Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 40 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,750 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.38 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Kinston
Federal records list 7 water systems tied to Kinston, NC. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Kinston, North Carolina (population ~38,437), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 66,500 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kinston: B (75/100)
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
Kinston water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 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): 4 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 10 | 4 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 10 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 4 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28501 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Kinston, |
| 28502 | B | 10 | 0 | City of Kinston, |
| 28503 | B | 10 | 0 | City of Kinston, |
| 28504 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Kinston, |
All ZIP Codes in Kinston
- 28501 [C] — 10 violations
- 28502 [B] — 10 violations
- 28503 [B] — 10 violations
- 28504 [C] — 10 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
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Kinston
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
Top Contaminants in Kinston Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Kinston Homeowners
Throughout Kinston, fixing documented water and safety issues carries an equity weight that moves remediation out of routine planning territory and into structured financial decision-making.
At 2.2% of home value, remediation costs in Kinston represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,900–$4,050. Home values here are 47% below the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Kinston
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.
Lead risk in Kinston appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Kinston
Substantially more flood exposure than most communities appears in Kinston's NFIP record — 738 documented claims and 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones. That exposure level makes the water-quality implications of flooding an active planning consideration rather than a background one.
Kinston has a significant flood history with 738 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $58,090 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>$2,750</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 Kinston, NC