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 Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Raleigh

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 - 3,432 total, including 308 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (58/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L
• 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:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Raleigh:

• 1,301 flood insurance claims on record
• $26,709,483 total paid out
• $20,530 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
• 19 of 44 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA 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.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

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

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

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 ⚠

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Raleigh has an average Home Safety Score of 58/100 (grade C) across 44 ZIP codes. There are 3432 recorded EPA violations, 308 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

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. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 37% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Raleigh at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 1,301 flood insurance claims in Raleigh ZIP codes, with an average payout of $20,530. 19 of 44 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

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 Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule. Across 44 ZIP codes, 44 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

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.

Flood & Climate Risk in Raleigh

Within the NFIP's national dataset, Raleigh falls in moderate-exposure territory - 1301 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 0% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.

1,301

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~65

Est. Claims/Year

Raleigh has a moderate flood history with 1,301 FEMA claims. 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.

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.