West End, NC Water Safety: 95/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for West End tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within NC.
How West End Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About West End Water
- Average lead level: 0.0052 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 34% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.98 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in West End
With 3 utilities splitting service in West End, NC, water accountability is distributed across 8 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in West End, North Carolina (population ~9,693), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 42,264 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in West End — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for West End: A (95/100)
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
West End water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0052 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27376 | A | Moore Company Public Util-pinehurst | 30,377 |
All ZIP Codes in West End
- 27376 [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.
Health Outcomes in West End
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 West End
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Because West End's housing stock spans a wide range of construction eras, the median build year of 1996 lands in a zone where two distinct risk populations share the same residential market. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — that practice was federally prohibited in 1986 but remained standard until then. The fraction built before 1970 face an additional risk: lead pipes used for service line connections were common before that decade, meaning both the pipe and the solder may be lead-containing in the oldest structures. Residents in mid-century or earlier homes face a different risk environment than neighbors in houses built after 1986, even if they drink from the same utility's supply — and that property-level divergence is what makes the age distribution above more diagnostic than the city-wide median alone.
Most homes in West End 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for West End Homeowners
What does remediation cost in financial context for West End homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in West End are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,200–$4,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 33% above the North Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in West End
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 34% of West End stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in West End
How does West End's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 1 claim — 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.
West End has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $52,616 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>$3,100</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 West End, NC