Kitty Hawk, NC Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring data from Kitty Hawk, NC tells a below-average story — health violations are present and system-level detail is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions.
How Kitty Hawk Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Kitty Hawk Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 42% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.87 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Kitty Hawk
Kitty Hawk, NC is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 3 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (population ~8,094), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 44,141 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Kitty Hawk — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kitty Hawk: D (50/100)
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
Kitty Hawk water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Kitty Hawk
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27949 | D | DARE COUNTY WATER SYSTEM | 28,732 |
All ZIP Codes in Kitty Hawk
- 27949 [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.
CDC Health Data for Kitty Hawk
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
How Old Is Kitty Hawk's Housing Stock?
With 42% 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
With a median build year of 1982, Kitty Hawk's housing stock reflects a city built across multiple eras. A substantial share of homes predate 1986 — the year lead solder in plumbing was federally banned — meaning the risk from plumbing materials is unevenly distributed across the city's neighborhoods and property types.
Most homes in Kitty Hawk 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.
Kitty Hawk: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Kitty Hawk, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Kitty Hawk are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 155% above the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Kitty Hawk
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.
Older stock in Kitty Hawk represents 42% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Kitty Hawk
What does a high NFIP claim count mean for water quality in Kitty Hawk? The 3506 documented claims reflect a flood history frequent enough that those infrastructure degradation pathways — treatment overload, well infiltration, backflow — have almost certainly been periodically activated. That record makes flood timing a relevant factor in local water quality assessment, particularly in the 100% of ZIP codes FEMA has designated as flood zones.
Kitty Hawk has a significant flood history with 3,506 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $9,396 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>$1,200</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.
What You Can Do in Kitty Hawk
- 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 42% 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 Kitty Hawk, NC