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

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

Water Quality Map: Raleigh, NC

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 44 ZIP codes in Raleigh, North Carolina (population ~560,455), covering 19 community water systems serving approximately 1,305,012 people region-wide.

44 of 44 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 308 health-based violations documented.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Raleigh: C (58/100)

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

Raleigh water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead & Copper

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
• 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: 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.

Top Contaminants

Areas with Most Violations

All ZIP Codes in Raleigh

• 27601 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27602 [B] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27603 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27604 [D] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27605 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27606 [D] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27607 [D] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27608 [D] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27609 [D] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27610 [D] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27611 [B] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27612 [D] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27613 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27614 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27615 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27616 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27617 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27619 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27620 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27621 [B] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27622 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27623 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27624 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27625 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27626 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27627 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27628 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27629 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27634 [B] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27635 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27636 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27640 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27650 [B] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27656 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27658 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27661 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27668 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27675 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27676 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27690 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27695 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27697 [C] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27698 [B] — 78 violations ⚠
• 27699 [C] — 78 violations ⚠

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.

Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Raleigh Homeowners

While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Raleigh is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.

Median Home Value

$441,100

Est. Remediation

$2,123

Remediation as % of home value 0.5%

Remediation costs in Raleigh are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,059–$3,918 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 87% above the North Carolina average.

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.

Flood & Climate Risk in Raleigh

Unlike communities where NFIP data shows minimal flood history, Raleigh's record documents 1301 claims and 61% of ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — a combination that moves flood-related water quality risk from the background into the foreground of any complete local water assessment. Flooding can overwhelm treatment capacity, contaminate wells, and trigger distribution backflow; at this level of exposure, those mechanisms have likely been activated during significant flood events.

1,301

Total FEMA Flood Claims

$21,717

Avg Claim Payout

61%

ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

~65

Est. Claims/Year

Raleigh has a significant flood history with 1,301 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $21,717 per claim. With 61% 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>$2,123</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.