Water Quality in Tar Heel, NC: No Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 73/100 · 1 water system · Updated 2026-05-03
Tar Heel's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Tar Heel in NC has never appeared on an EPA enforcement list — zero violations, zero monitoring failures, zero health-based citations across all 1 public water system across all available federal records.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Tar Heel
Water quality varies across Tar Heel's 1 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28392 | B | 73 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Tar Heel, North Carolina receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 73 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
No EPA violations have been recorded for the 1 water system serving Tar Heel. This is a positive indicator, though it does not guarantee the absence of all contaminants — some substances (like PFAS) are not yet fully regulated.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Tar Heel's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
Lead testing data for Tar Heel is currently being collected. The EPA requires all community water systems to test for lead under the Lead and Copper Rule.
With 78% of homes built before 1986, Tar Heel has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Tar Heel
Tar Heel is served by 1 community water system regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 603 people across 1 ZIP codes.
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
How to Check Your Water in Tar Heel
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
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
Tar Heel vs. Nearby North Carolina Cities
How Tar Heel's water quality compares to similar cities in North Carolina:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tar Heel | B | 0 | 1 | 603 |
| Dublin | A | 2 | 1 | 603 |
| White Oak | B | 0 | 1 | 603 |
| Gibson | B | 3 | 1 | 589 |
Common Questions About Tar Heel Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Tar Heel, North Carolina:
Is Tar Heel water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Tar Heel's 1 water system uses a single source. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Tar Heel tap water? Tar Heel's water receives a grade of B (73/100). No health-based violations have been recorded, but home testing is always recommended.
What is the best water filter for Tar Heel? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Tar Heel vs. North Carolina Average
Understanding how Tar Heel 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 Tar Heel.
ZIP Codes in Tar Heel
Tar Heel spans 1 ZIP code. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. 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
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.