Lowell, NC: 13 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Lowell Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 13 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.02 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $4,260 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.43.
Lowell's Water Providers
Service in Lowell, NC can differ by address: 4 water systems are tied to the area in federal records, and the 3 largest are listed with their violation records.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lowell, North Carolina (population ~3,746), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 105,992 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. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Lowell water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0200 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 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 2.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28098 | — | 13 | 2 | City of Lowell, |
All ZIP Codes in Lowell
- 28098 - 13 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.
Lowell Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Lowell's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Lowell Infrastructure Age
With 66% 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
Median construction year in Lowell: 1966, set against the 1986 federal lead limits for new plumbing.
Over half of homes in Lowell were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Lowell
Relative to home prices, Lowell remediation estimates run high.
Estimated remediation costs in Lowell equal about 2.8% of the median home value; how much that burdens a household depends on its finances. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,790–$5,880. Home values here are 35% below the North Carolina average.
Lowell: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Over 15 micrograms per liter: the mean of Lowell's ZIP-level lead results. Older-than-1986 homes make up 66% of the stock.
1 ZIP code (100% of the city's ZIP records) is served by a water system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lowell, NC