Nitrate in Chapel Hill, NC Drinking Water
Nitrate data for Chapel Hill, North Carolina · 107,660 residents · 5 ZIP codes
Within Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Nitrate has been detected in water samples drawn from the public supply — the results are part of the official EPA compliance record for systems here.
Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO Last verified: 2026-04-05
Nitrate in Chapel Hill Tap Water
Chapel Hill, North Carolina has 30 EPA violations related to nitrate in drinking water.
This analysis covers 107,660 residents across 5 ZIP codes in Chapel Hill.
Chapel Hill's overall water quality grade is B (70/100).
Is Nitrate in Chapel Hill Water Safe?
If you live in an affected ZIP code, consider installing a reverse osmosis or ion exchange filter certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 and testing your water independently.
EPA Violations for Nitrate in Chapel Hill
| Date | Violation Type | Status | ZIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27514 |
| 2024-10-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27515 |
| 2024-10-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27516 |
| 2024-10-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27517 |
| 2024-10-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27599 |
| 2024-07-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27514 |
| 2024-07-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27515 |
| 2024-07-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27516 |
| 2024-07-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27517 |
| 2024-07-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27599 |
| 2024-04-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27514 |
| 2024-04-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27515 |
| 2024-04-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27516 |
| 2024-04-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27517 |
| 2024-04-01 | Nitrate (Known) | Known | 27599 |
| 2024-01-01 | Nitrate (Resolved) | Resolved | 27514 |
| 2024-01-01 | Nitrate (Resolved) | Resolved | 27515 |
| 2024-01-01 | Nitrate (Resolved) | Resolved | 27516 |
| 2024-01-01 | Nitrate (Resolved) | Resolved | 27517 |
| 2024-01-01 | Nitrate (Resolved) | Resolved | 27599 |
| ... | 10 more violations |
Health Effects of Nitrate
- Methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants under 6 months
- Increased risk of colorectal and bladder cancer (long-term)
- Thyroid disease from chronic exposure
- Possible reproductive effects
Health risk severity: High. Governed by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
How Nitrate Gets Into Drinking Water
- Agricultural fertilizer runoff
- Animal feedlot operations and manure
- Septic system leachate
- Urban stormwater and wastewater discharge
What to Do About Nitrate in Chapel Hill Water
- Reverse osmosis is the most effective method for nitrate removal
- Ion exchange systems designed for nitrate can also work
- Standard carbon filters do NOT remove nitrate
- Boiling water increases nitrate concentration — never boil for nitrate
Look for filters certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 for nitrate removal.