CITY REPORT NC 37 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Raleigh, NC: 37 Health Violations - 62/100

44 ZIP codes · 30 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Raleigh: C.

A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.

Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (37 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →

Recent monitoring in Raleigh shows middle-tier safety for NC - some systems are clean; others have logged EPA violations.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

44
ZIP Codes
30
Water Systems
11
ZIPs with Violations
C · 62
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)

What You Should Know About Raleigh Water

  • Your city's water systems recorded 448 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.

Water Quality in Raleigh

We track home safety signals for 44 ZIP codes in Raleigh, North Carolina. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 17 ZIP codes and 30 water systems.

11 of 17 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (65%) have recorded EPA violations - 448 total, including 37 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 92 11
Gross Alpha Radionuclides 34 6
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 31 6
Lead Inorganic 16 8
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 15 6

Lead Risk

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L
  • 0 of 17 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 37% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
  • 8% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
  • Median year built: 1989
  • Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
  • Lead exposure risk score: 33/100
  • Estimated lead service line probability: 10%
  • 2 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

Housing Age Distribution

246,955 total housing units across 44 ZIP codes:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 6,928 3%
1940–1949 3,371 1%
1950–1959 9,274 4%
1960–1969 17,393 7%
1970–1979 25,426 10%
1980–1989 42,661 17%
1990–1999 45,713 19%
2000–2009 56,484 23%
2010–2019 37,602 15%
2020+ 2,103 1%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Raleigh:

  • 1,304 flood insurance claims on record
  • $26,709,482 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 1,002 claims with payment data
  • 302 claims without reported payment fields
  • $26,656 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: AE (A/V-family)
  • 20 of 27 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone among 44 ZIP records with zone data: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

  • Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
  • Zone 2 (Moderate): 38 ZIP codes
  • Zone 3 (Low): 6 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
27695 83/100 B 0
27608 67/100 C 0
27609 67/100 C 0
27604 66/100 C 2
27612 66/100 C 2
27617 66/100 C 2
27607 65/100 C 4
27613 62/100 C 16
27615 62/100 C 14
27616 56/100 C 14

Areas Needing Attention

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
27610 50/100 D 46
27606 50/100 D 43
27603 50/100 D 279
27614 52/100 D 26

What Raleigh Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

  • Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
  • Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
  • Check your ZIP code - each area in Raleigh has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

  • NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
  • NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
  • Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

  • Raleigh is in a moderate-risk radon area
  • Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
  • If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

All ZIP Codes in Raleigh

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Raleigh, NC?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Raleigh has an average score of 62/100 (grade C) across 14 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 448 recorded EPA violations across 17 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 37 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Raleigh have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Raleigh is 0.0030 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 17 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 37% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Raleigh at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 1,304 flood insurance claim records in Raleigh ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $26,656 among 1,002 claims with payment data. 302 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 27 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 20 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Raleigh homes?

37% of Raleigh housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 8% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 10%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Raleigh water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Surface Water Treatment Rule, Gross Alpha, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Across 17 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 11 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Housing & Infrastructure in Raleigh

1989
Median Build Year
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

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

Compared to many older metro areas, Raleigh carries a relatively newer housing profile - the median build year of 1989 places most of the stock in the post-1986 era when lead solder was federally banned from new plumbing. That shift meaningfully reduces the baseline likelihood of lead leaching from copper joint solder. Homes from before 1986 do still exist in the mix, however, and individual testing remains the only way to confirm what a specific tap actually delivers.

1989
Median Year Built
0%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Raleigh 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.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Raleigh

0.003
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Lead risk in Raleigh appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Historical NFIP Claim Context in Raleigh

1,304
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$26,656
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
74%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Raleigh contains 1,304 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $26,656. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 74% 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.

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.

What You Can Do in Raleigh

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Raleigh, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh has an average Home Safety Score of 62/100 (Grade C) under model 4.0.0. The score combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AQI, and is published only when all required domains are observed. 448 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many water violations does Raleigh have?
Raleigh water systems have a total of 448 EPA violations, including 37 health-based violations. Violations are tracked across 44 ZIP codes.
Does Raleigh water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Raleigh is 0.003 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Raleigh?
Raleigh is served by 30 public water systems across 44 ZIP codes, serving approximately 560,455 people.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Raleigh, NC: 37 Health Violations - 62/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/nc/raleigh/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-nc-raleigh,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Raleigh, NC: 37 Health Violations - 62/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/nc/raleigh/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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