Merry Hill, NC Water Safety: 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Merry Hill lands near the NC median for water safety — compliance results are mixed, and the city's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability across service areas rather than one problem driving the whole picture.
How Merry Hill Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Merry Hill Water
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.12 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Merry Hill
Merry Hill, NC is covered by 2 major water utilities out of 2 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 Merry Hill, North Carolina (population ~1,017), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 24,615 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Merry Hill — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Merry Hill: C (65/100)
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
Merry Hill water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Merry Hill
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27957 | C | Bertie County Regional Water | 12,893 |
All ZIP Codes in Merry Hill
- 27957 [C]
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 Merry Hill
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Merry Hill
With 60% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Merry Hill's median build year of 1987 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Merry Hill were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Merry Hill Homeowners
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Merry Hill is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Merry Hill. The estimated $1,200–$2,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 51% below the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Merry Hill
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 Merry Hill represents 60% 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Merry Hill
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Merry Hill shows a moderate flood record — 30 claims and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
Merry Hill has a moderate flood history with 30 FEMA claims averaging $21,373 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$1,800</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 Merry Hill
- 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 60% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Merry Hill, NC