Southern Pines, NC Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drilling into federal monitoring figures for Southern Pines in NC, the pattern is middle-of-the-road — some utilities have documented MCL exceedances or treatment technique violations in recent years, while others have operated without a single flag, making the city's grade a genuine average rather than a rounded-down high.
How Southern Pines Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Southern Pines Water
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.98 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Southern Pines
In Southern Pines, NC, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 5 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Southern Pines, North Carolina (population ~15,643), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 76,134 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Southern Pines — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Southern Pines: C (66/100)
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
Southern Pines water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Southern Pines
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28387 | C | ABERDEEN, TOWN OF | 12,473 |
| 28388 | C | MOORE CO PUBLIC UTIL-PINEHURST | 30,377 |
All ZIP Codes in Southern Pines
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.
Health Outcomes in Southern Pines
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Southern Pines Homeowners
Remediation costs in Southern Pines are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Southern Pines are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 55% above the North Carolina average.
Flood & Climate Risk in Southern Pines
Flood exposure in Southern Pines is meaningful by NFIP measures — 17 claims on record and 50% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Southern Pines has a moderate flood history with 17 FEMA claims averaging $5,404 per payout. 50% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,800</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.
What You Can Do in Southern Pines
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Southern Pines, NC