Exceeds EPA Limit Copper EXCEEDS EPA LIMIT

Copper in Carthage, NC Drinking Water

Copper data for Carthage, North Carolina · 18,984 residents · 1 ZIP code

ZipCheckup's reading of Copper in Carthage, North Carolina: the highest detected level is 1678 ppb; the EPA limit is 1.3 mg/L (action level). Copper carries a moderate health-risk designation.

EPA records show Copper detections in Carthage, North Carolina water samples.

1678 ppb
Max Level Detected
1678 ppb
Average Level
1.3 mg/L (action level)
EPA action level
Moderate
Health Risk
Reverse Osmosis or NSF 53 Carbon Block
Best Filter Method

Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO Last verified: 2026-07-13

Copper in Carthage Tap Water

Copper has been detected in Carthage, North Carolina drinking water at a maximum level of 1678 ppb — 1.29x the EPA action level.

This analysis covers 18,984 residents across 1 ZIP code in Carthage.

Carthage's overall water quality grade is A (86/100).

Is Copper in Carthage Water Safe?

Copper levels in parts of Carthage exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L (action level). The EPA requires water systems to take corrective action when this limit is exceeded.

If you live in an affected ZIP code, consider installing a reverse osmosis or nsf 53 carbon block filter certified under NSF 53 and testing your water independently.

Copper Levels by ZIP Code

ZIP Code Copper Level EPA Limit Status
28327 1678 ppb 1.3 mg/L (action level) Exceeds limit

Average copper level across Carthage: 1678 ppb

Health Effects of Copper

  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (short-term, high levels)
  • Liver and kidney damage (long-term)
  • Particularly dangerous for people with Wilson's disease
  • Infants are more sensitive than adults

Health risk severity: Moderate. Governed by the Lead and Copper Rule.

How Copper Gets Into Drinking Water

  • Corrosion of copper household plumbing
  • Acidic (low pH) water accelerates copper leaching
  • New copper pipes leach more than aged ones
  • Mining and industrial discharge (rare for tap water)

What to Do About Copper in Carthage Water

  1. Run water for 30-60 seconds before use (flushes stagnant water)
  2. Install an NSF 53 or NSF 58 certified filter
  3. If pH is low, consider a whole-home acid neutralizer
  4. Test first-draw morning water to check actual copper levels

Look for filters certified under NSF 53 for copper removal.

Related

Home → Contaminants → Copper → North Carolina → Carthage

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Copper in Carthage, NC Drinking Water. https://zipcheckup.com/contaminants/copper/carthage-nc/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-contaminants-copper-carthage-nc,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Copper in Carthage, NC Drinking Water}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/contaminants/copper/carthage-nc/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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