Vanceboro, NC Water Safety: 85/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current NC EPA data, Vanceboro's tap water sits in the high-safety tier.
How Vanceboro Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Vanceboro Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0034 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 48% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.83 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Vanceboro
In Vanceboro, NC, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 4 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Vanceboro, North Carolina (population ~8,094), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 72,081 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Vanceboro — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Vanceboro: A (85/100)
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
Vanceboro water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0034 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28586 | A | Vanceboro Water System | 1,864 |
All ZIP Codes in Vanceboro
- 28586 [A]
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 Vanceboro
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 Vanceboro's Housing Stock?
With 48% 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
Over the decades, Vanceboro accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1983 places the midpoint of that stock near the 1986 threshold when lead solder in plumbing became federally prohibited — leaving a sizable share of homes on each side of that safety line.
Most homes in Vanceboro 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.
Vanceboro: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The cost-to-equity ratio for remediation in Vanceboro is elevated — the financial planning challenge here is real and significant.
At 2.4% of home value, remediation costs in Vanceboro represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,600–$3,300. Home values here are 57% below the North Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Vanceboro
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 48% of the Vanceboro inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Vanceboro
FEMA data shows 100% of Vanceboro's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 113 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Vanceboro has a moderate flood history with 113 FEMA claims averaging $21,089 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>$2,400</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Vanceboro, NC