Manteo, NC Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Manteo tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with NC and federal standards.
How Manteo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Manteo Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 35% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.87 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Manteo
Water delivery in Manteo, NC is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Manteo, North Carolina (population ~7,080), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 31,370 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Manteo — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Manteo: B (72/100)
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
Manteo water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Manteo
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27954 | B | Manteo Town of | 2,638 |
All ZIP Codes in Manteo
- 27954 [B]
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 Manteo
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 Manteo's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Pre-1986 construction carries elevated plumbing-era lead risk because lead solder was widely used before that federal ban. In Manteo, the median build year of 1996 indicates a housing stock where that older fraction represents a significant share of the residential inventory.
Most homes in Manteo 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.
Manteo: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across Manteo, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Manteo are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 59% above the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Manteo
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 Manteo represents 35% 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 Manteo
Flood exposure in Manteo is substantial — 895 NFIP claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated zones. That volume of documented flood activity places water-quality implications of flooding firmly in the active-risk category rather than the hypothetical.
Manteo has a significant flood history with 895 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $12,154 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Manteo, NC