Rutherford College, NC - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Rutherford College Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations since 2021.
- Homes built before 1986: 71% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $300 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.9.
Who Supplies Your Water in Rutherford College
Counting every public water system linked to Rutherford College, NC in federal data gives 2. The list below keeps the 2 largest by reported population served, a figure that covers each system's whole service area rather than the city alone. A household's own supplier is named on its water bill.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rutherford College, North Carolina (population ~377), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 15,654 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Rutherford College water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 30 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28671 | — | 18 | 1 | Valdese, Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Rutherford College
- 28671 - 18 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Rutherford College
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Rutherford College Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Rutherford College
With 71% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Plumbing risk in older housing is tied to the period before 1986, when lead pipes and lead solder were still permitted in new plumbing. Rutherford College's median build year is 1962, and properties from before that year might still contain lead-bearing joints or pipes. Much of that risk sits inside individual properties, which city-level water quality averages don't capture.
Over half of homes in Rutherford College were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Rutherford College Homeowners
Because the median home value in Rutherford College is large relative to the estimated cost of remediation, the ratio between them stays at or below 1%; that is a statement about two area-level numbers, not a quote for a particular house or a judgment about what an owner can pay.
Estimated remediation costs in Rutherford College can be compared with local home values. The $150–$600 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 20% below the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Rutherford College
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rutherford College, NC