Water Quality in Sunset Beach, NC: 3 Violations - Grade N/A
2 water systems · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 3 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Sunset Beach. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Sunset Beach
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28468 | 3 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Sunset Beach, North Carolina has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 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 3 violations (all classified as monitoring/reporting type in the available record) across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Sunset Beach water systems is 0.0000 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
Water Systems Serving Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is served by 2 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 4,844 people across 1 ZIP code.
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 8 enforcement actions against water systems serving Sunset Beach. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Sunset Beach
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
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
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Sunset Beach Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Sunset Beach's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 7 enforcement actions against water systems serving Sunset Beach. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-02-21 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-06-06 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-04-15 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2024-04-15 | State Filed Suit |
| 2024-04-15 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-02-02 | State Order Extension |
| 2021-02-08 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-02-21.
Sunset Beach vs. Nearby North Carolina Cities
How Sunset Beach's water quality compares to similar cities in North Carolina:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Beach | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4,844 |
| Bunnlevel | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4,864 |
| Jefferson | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4,818 |
| Laurel Hill | 1 | 10 | 3 | 4,792 |
Common Questions About Sunset Beach Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Sunset Beach, North Carolina:
Is Sunset Beach water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Sunset Beach's 2 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Sunset Beach tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Sunset Beach? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Sunset Beach vs. North Carolina Average
Understanding how Sunset Beach 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 Sunset Beach.
ZIP Codes in Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. 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.