Olin, NC Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Monitoring data across Olin reveals a persistent pattern of below-average compliance in NC — multiple service areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little overall improvement over recent EPA reporting cycles.
How Olin Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Olin Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 41% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.46 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Olin
Federal records list 2 water systems tied to Olin, NC. Of those, 2 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Olin, North Carolina (population ~2,813), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 58,016 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Olin — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Olin: D (53/100)
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
Olin water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Olin
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28660 | D | Iredell Water Corporation | 27,173 |
All ZIP Codes in Olin
- 28660 [D]
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 Olin
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 Olin's Housing Stock?
With 41% 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 trying to understand water quality at the household level, the year a home was built often matters more than any city-wide water report. That's because the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing, and the earlier phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, created sharp discontinuities in residential plumbing risk by construction era. Olin's median build year of 1998 puts the city in the transition zone: a substantial share of the housing stock postdates the solder ban, but a comparable fraction predates it — with the oldest homes carrying both the solder risk and the pipe risk simultaneously. Whether any individual household sits on the safer or riskier side of these thresholds is the key question, and it's one the city-wide median alone can't answer.
Most homes in Olin 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.
Olin: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Olin sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Olin are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 20% below the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Olin
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 41% of Olin stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Olin
- 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 41% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Olin, NC