Sunset Beach, NC Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Sunset Beach, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for NC.
How Sunset Beach Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Sunset Beach Water
- Homes built before 1986: 20% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.3 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Sunset Beach
Water service in Sunset Beach, NC is split across 2 utilities out of 2 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sunset Beach, North Carolina (population ~4,844), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 150,152 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Sunset Beach — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sunset Beach: C (55/100)
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
Sunset Beach water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Sunset Beach
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28468 | C | OCEAN ISLE BEACH, TOWN OF | 7,925 |
All ZIP Codes in Sunset Beach
- 28468 [C]
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 Sunset Beach
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Sunset Beach
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Since 1986, federal law has prohibited lead solder in new residential plumbing. With a median build year of 1993, much of Sunset Beach's housing falls on the safer side of that line — though homes built before 1986 still warrant testing regardless of the city-wide profile.
Most homes in Sunset Beach 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Sunset Beach Homeowners
Within the Sunset Beach market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Sunset Beach 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 54% above the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Sunset Beach
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.
Despite citywide averages reading cleanly under the federal action threshold, the way utilities pull samples — from a representative subset rather than door-to-door — leaves room for individual buildings with older interior lines to behave differently than the aggregate suggests. With only 20% of Sunset Beach stock predating the solder rule, that residual subset is small but real, and a draw-test kit gives the only direct read on what comes out of one faucet on a given morning.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Sunset Beach
A moderate NFIP record for Sunset Beach — 236 insurance claims paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Sunset Beach has a moderate flood history with 236 FEMA claims averaging $2,528 per payout. 100% 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 Sunset Beach
- 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 Sunset Beach, NC