Water Quality in Wake Forest, NC: 47 Violations - Grade N/A
5 water systems · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 47 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Wake Forest. 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 Wake Forest
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27587 | 47 | 4 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Wake Forest.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
Water Quality Overview
Wake Forest, 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 47 violations, including 4 health-based violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Wake Forest water systems is 0.0085 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
Water Systems Serving Wake Forest
Wake Forest is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 81,902 people across 2 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
The EPA has taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Wake Forest. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Wake Forest
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 Wake Forest Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Wake Forest's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 18 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 5 | 1 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 4 | 1 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 4 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 3 | 1 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 5 pCi/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 50 pCi/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 15 pCi/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Radium-226 | Radionuclides | 5 pCi/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 5 pCi/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Wake Forest:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Wake Forest. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-06-19 | State Filed Suit |
| 2026-03-18 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-01 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-02-27 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2026-02-27 | State Filed Suit |
| 2026-02-27 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-01-12 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2026-01-12 | State Filed Suit |
| 2026-01-05 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-05 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-06-19.
Wake Forest vs. Nearby North Carolina Cities
How Wake Forest's water quality compares to similar cities in North Carolina:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest | 1 | 47 | 5 | 81,902 |
| Hickory | 2 | 63 | 7 | 82,112 |
| Matthews | 2 | 23 | 6 | 82,154 |
| Monroe | 2 | 5 | 4 | 83,458 |
Common Questions About Wake Forest Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Wake Forest, North Carolina:
Is Wake Forest water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Wake Forest's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Wake Forest tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 4 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Wake Forest? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Wake Forest vs. North Carolina Average
Understanding how Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest.
ZIP Codes in Wake Forest
Wake Forest spans 2 ZIP codes. 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.