Wilmington, NC: 24 Health Violations — 86/100 (2026)
12 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Wilmington's tap water quality puts it in NC's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Wilmington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Wilmington, NC
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Wilmington's 12 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Wilmington Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 204 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,067 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.29 — above typical levels.
Wilmington's Water Providers
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Wilmington, NC's residential water connections out of 11 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 12 ZIP codes in Wilmington, North Carolina, covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 212,039 people.
12 of 12 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 24 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Wilmington: A (86/100)
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
Wilmington water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 12 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 78 | 12 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 52 | 12 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 26 | 12 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 26 | 12 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 26 | 12 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28401 | B | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
| 28402 | A | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
| 28403 | B | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
| 28404 | A | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
| 28405 | B | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
| 28406 | A | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
| 28407 | A | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
| 28408 | A | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
| 28409 | B | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
| 28410 | A | 17 | 2 | Cfpua-wilmington |
All ZIP Codes in Wilmington
- 28401 [B] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28402 [A] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28403 [B] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28404 [A] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28405 [B] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28406 [A] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28407 [A] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28408 [A] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28409 [B] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28410 [A] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28411 [B] — 17 violations ⚠
- 28412 [B] — 17 violations ⚠
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.
Wilmington Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Wilmington's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Wilmington
Equity impact data for Wilmington lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Wilmington are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,058–$3,450 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 45% above the North Carolina average.
Wilmington: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Lead risk in Wilmington appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Wilmington: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data places 75% of Wilmington's ZIP codes inside designated flood zones, and the NFIP claim record confirms the real-world impact: 3641 filed claims representing decades of documented flood events with consequences for property and, at sufficient severity, for local water infrastructure.
Wilmington has a significant flood history with 3,641 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $20,321 per claim. With 75% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,067</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 Wilmington, NC