Nags Head, NC Water Safety: 67/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Nags Head 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 Nags Head Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Nags Head Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 49% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.87 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Nags Head
For most households in Nags Head, NC, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Nags Head, North Carolina, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,172 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Nags Head — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Nags Head: C (67/100)
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
Nags Head water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Nags Head
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27959 | C | Nags Head, Town of | 3,125 |
All ZIP Codes in Nags Head
- 27959 [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.
CDC Health Data for Nags Head
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 Nags Head's Housing Stock?
With 49% 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
Prohibited from residential plumbing since 1986, lead solder divides Nags Head's housing stock along a timeline that the median build year of 1983 straddles. A meaningful share of homes predates the ban — a configuration that places moderate aggregate pressure on plumbing-related lead risk, distributed unevenly across neighborhoods.
Most homes in Nags Head 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.
Nags Head: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Nags Head, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Nags Head are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 91% above the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Nags Head
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Nags Head — 49% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Nags Head
NFIP data for Nags Head documents 3107 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 100% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.
Nags Head has a significant flood history with 3,107 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $10,498 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 Nags Head
- 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 49% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Nags Head, NC