Merritt, NC: 7 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Merritt Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.01 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 28% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.49 - above typical levels.
Merritt's Water Providers
2 water systems are tracked federally in Merritt, NC. The top 2 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Merritt, North Carolina (population ~923), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 20,801 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. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Merritt water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0100 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28556 | — | 7 | 1 | Pamlico County Water |
All ZIP Codes in Merritt
- 28556 - 7 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.
Merritt 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 Merritt's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Merritt Infrastructure Age
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
Why does housing age matter for water safety? Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints - a practice banned that year. Merritt's median build year of 1994 places much of the city's housing in the post-ban era, reducing that specific risk pathway for most residents.
Most homes in Merritt 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 Merritt
Setting Merritt remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier - a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Merritt are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 44% above the North Carolina average.
Merritt: 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.
Generally, the structural picture for Merritt runs in a quiet direction. Aggregate sampling rests under the federal action benchmark, and 28% of housing comes from the pre-rule era - a contained local footprint. That dual signal keeps lead in the background of local concerns, while a one-faucet measurement still answers a different question than any system average can: what is actually flowing from one specific tap on a given morning.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Merritt: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Merritt contains 682 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $23,063. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$1,200</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Merritt, NC