Rutherfordton, NC - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Rutherfordton Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 13 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.011 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 49% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $800 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 15.09.
Water Systems Serving Rutherfordton
Federal records list 4 water systems tied to Rutherfordton, NC. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rutherfordton, North Carolina (population ~18,887), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 41,889 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
Rutherfordton water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0110 mg/L (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Chlorine | Disinfectant | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28139 | — | 13 | 1 | Broad River Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Rutherfordton
- 28139 - 13 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.
CDC Health Data for Rutherfordton
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Rutherfordton
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Rutherfordton's Housing Stock?
With 49% 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
Over the decades, Rutherfordton accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1983 can be read against 1986, when lead solder in plumbing became federally prohibited - a regulatory line, not a safety line, and individual homes on either side of it can have different plumbing.
A significant portion of Rutherfordton's housing stock predates 1970, so some homes may have older plumbing materials. Residents in older homes should consider water testing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Rutherfordton: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Estimated remediation for Rutherfordton is a small fraction of median property value - one percent or less - though the ratio does not describe any single household.
Estimated remediation costs in Rutherfordton can be compared with local home values. The $450–$1,400 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 17% below the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Rutherfordton
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.
Several steps can clarify lead exposure for a Rutherfordton household. The area figure, an average of ZIP-level 90th-percentile results, is 0.010 mg/L or higher, and the pre-1986 share of local homes is about 49%. The water utility's lead service line inventory shows how a home's service line is classified, a certified laboratory test measures lead at the tap, and a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction is an option where results show lead.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Rutherfordton
Historical NFIP data for Rutherfordton contains 23 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $60,178. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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. The $800 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rutherfordton, NC