Thurmond, NC: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Thurmond, NC water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How Thurmond Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Thurmond Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 51% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.36 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Thurmond
Residential water in Thurmond, NC is supplied by 2 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 2 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Thurmond, North Carolina (population ~1,381), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 9,136 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Thurmond — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Thurmond: 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
Thurmond water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Thurmond
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28683 | D | Blue Ridge Water Association | 8,486 |
All ZIP Codes in Thurmond
- 28683 [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.
CDC Health Data for Thurmond
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
How Old Is Thurmond's Housing Stock?
With 51% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Thurmond sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1984 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Thurmond 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.
Thurmond: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Thurmond market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Thurmond are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 34% below the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Thurmond
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 51% of Thurmond stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Thurmond
- 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 51% 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 Thurmond, NC