Piney Creek, NC: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Piney Creek shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within NC — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Piney Creek Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Piney Creek Water
- Homes built before 1986: 41% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.28 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Piney Creek
Piney Creek, NC draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Piney Creek, North Carolina (population ~474), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,900 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Piney Creek — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Piney Creek: 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
Piney Creek water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Piney Creek
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28663 | D | SPARTA, TOWN OF | 1,900 |
All ZIP Codes in Piney Creek
- 28663 [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.
Health Outcomes in Piney Creek
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 Piney Creek
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
Two regulatory milestones define plumbing-era risk in residential housing: 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines, and 1986, when lead solder was banned from new copper plumbing. A median build year of 1997 places Piney Creek in the middle zone between those thresholds — with a meaningful share of housing predating both cutoffs. The distribution shown above breaks out those eras explicitly, clarifying where concentrated risk sits across the residential inventory.
Most homes in Piney Creek 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Piney Creek Homeowners
Is remediation financially manageable for Piney Creek homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes — with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Piney Creek. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 13% below the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Piney Creek
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 Piney Creek — 41% 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Piney Creek
Flood exposure in Piney Creek is meaningful by NFIP measures — 1 claim on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Piney Creek has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims. 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>$3,000</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 Piney Creek
- 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 Piney Creek, NC