Water Quality in Raleigh, NC: 401 Violations - Grade N/A

Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Water Quality Overview

Raleigh, North Carolina has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 17 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.

The available EPA records report 401 violations, including 26 health-based violations across 17 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.

Lead Levels

The average 90th percentile lead level across Raleigh water systems is 0.0030 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 17 ZIP records with known lead status.

Water Systems Serving Raleigh

Raleigh is served by 30 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 560,455 people across 44 ZIP codes.

Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:

• Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
• Report results to the EPA and state regulators
• Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
• Take corrective action when violations occur

The EPA has taken 98 enforcement actions against water systems serving Raleigh. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.

How to Check Your Water in Raleigh

1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history

2. Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants

3. Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel

4. Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics

5. Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts

Contaminants Detected in Raleigh Water Systems

The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Raleigh's water systems:

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.

Violation Trend Over Time

Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Raleigh:

Violations have decreased from 2 in 2023 to 1 in 2024, indicating improving compliance.

EPA Enforcement History

The EPA and state regulators have taken 59 enforcement actions against water systems serving Raleigh. Recent actions:

Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-06-25.

Raleigh vs. Nearby North Carolina Cities

How Raleigh's water quality compares to similar cities in North Carolina:

Recommended Water Filters for Raleigh

Based on contaminants detected in Raleigh's water supply, these filter types are recommended:

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)

• Removes: Chlorine
• Effectiveness: 95-99%
• Cost range: $100–$600
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
• Recommended products:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
  • Berkey Travel

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)

• Removes: TTHM
• Effectiveness: 80-99%
• Cost range: $400–$2000
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
• Recommended products:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Aquasana EQ-1000 Rhino

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)

• Removes: HAA5
• Effectiveness: 60-80%
• Cost range: $100–$600
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
• Recommended products:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Aquasana EQ-1000 Rhino

Water Quality by ZIP Code in Raleigh

EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Raleigh's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:

Common Questions About Raleigh Water

These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Raleigh, North Carolina:

Is Raleigh water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Raleigh's 30 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.

Can I drink Raleigh tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 26 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.

What is the best water filter for Raleigh? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house or under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.

Raleigh vs. North Carolina Average

Understanding how Raleigh compares to the broader North Carolina average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.

To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Raleigh.

ZIP Codes in Raleigh

Raleigh spans 44 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 17 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.

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
• Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
• Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products

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