Swannanoa, NC: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
A meaningful share of water systems in Swannanoa have recorded health-based violations in recent NC monitoring periods — placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Swannanoa Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Swannanoa Water
- Homes built before 1986: 52% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.54 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Swannanoa
With 2 utilities splitting service in Swannanoa, NC, water accountability is distributed across 2 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Swannanoa, North Carolina (population ~11,933), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 169,407 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Swannanoa — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Swannanoa: D (40/100)
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
Swannanoa water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Swannanoa
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28778 | D | ASHEVILLE CITY OF | 157,431 |
All ZIP Codes in Swannanoa
- 28778 [D]
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 Swannanoa
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 Swannanoa
With 52% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder 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 defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Swannanoa's median build year of 1984 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Swannanoa were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. 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 Swannanoa Homeowners
The equity impact of remediation in Swannanoa sits at a moderate level — real enough to plan for, within reach for most.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Swannanoa. The estimated $2,600–$5,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 16% above the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Swannanoa
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Swannanoa have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 52% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Swannanoa
How does Swannanoa's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 104 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Swannanoa has a moderate flood history with 104 FEMA claims averaging $121,054 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>$3,700</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 Swannanoa
- 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. With 52% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Swannanoa, NC