Buncombe County, North Carolina
27 ZIP codes · Avg score 42/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
Across Buncombe County's 27 ZIP codes, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern — health-based violations are documented in several areas, and independent testing is a reasonable step for concerned households.
How Buncombe County Compares
How Buncombe County Compares
Buncombe County scores 31 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 26 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Buncombe County, North Carolina
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 12.8 (asthma 10.3%, diabetes 11.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,284, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.4% avg pipe failure probability, 35% of ZIPs at high risk
52.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Buncombe County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 106 violations. Past 5 years: 119 total (119 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,284
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
128,499 housing units in Buncombe County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Buncombe County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Buncombe County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Buncombe County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Buncombe County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ASHEVILLE CITY OF | 157,431 | 344 |
| 2 | WOODFIN SANITARY WATER AND SEWER | 10,122 | 306 |
| 3 | Northview Mhp | 516 | 295 |
| 4 | Biltmore Forest, Town of | 1,356 | 275 |
| 5 | Trillium Links & Village | 610 | 275 |
33 total water systems serve Buncombe County.
All ZIP Codes in Buncombe County
27 ZIP codes tracked in Buncombe County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28757 | Montreat | 69 | C | 3 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 28748 | Leicester | 67 | C | 11 (3 health) | $298K |
| 3 | 28704 | Arden | 60 | C | 8 | $344K |
| 4 | 28715 | Candler | 59 | C | 8 (1 health) | $292K |
| 5 | 28711 | Black Mountain | 58 | C | 16 (2 health) | $358K |
| 6 | 28730 | Fairview | 56 | C | 6 (1 health) | $357K |
| 7 | 28770 | Ridgecrest | 54 | D | 2 | — |
| 8 | 28701 | Alexander | 53 | D | 0 | $291K |
| 9 | 28728 | Enka | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 10 | 28735 | Gerton | 53 | D | 0 | $349K |
| 11 | 28742 | Horse Shoe | 53 | D | 0 | $330K |
| 12 | 28776 | Skyland | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 13 | 28787 | Weaverville | 50 | D | 20 (4 health) | $379K |
| 14 | 28758 | Mountain Home | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 15 | 28760 | Naples | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 16 | 28778 | Swannanoa | 40 | D | 0 | $274K |
| 17 | 28802 | Asheville | 35 | F | 25 (7 health) | — |
| 18 | 28813 | Asheville | 35 | F | 25 (7 health) | — |
| 19 | 28814 | Asheville | 35 | F | 25 (7 health) | — |
| 20 | 28801 | Asheville | 25 | F | 25 (7 health) | $481K |
| 21 | 28804 | Asheville | 25 | F | 25 (7 health) | $529K |
| 22 | 28805 | Asheville | 25 | F | 25 (7 health) | $361K |
| 23 | 28806 | Asheville | 25 | F | 25 (7 health) | $336K |
| 24 | 28810 | Asheville | 21 | F | 25 (7 health) | — |
| 25 | 28815 | Asheville | 21 | F | 25 (7 health) | — |
| 26 | 28816 | Asheville | 21 | F | 25 (7 health) | — |
| 27 | 28803 | Asheville | 20 | F | 25 (7 health) | $409K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Buncombe County
While many sites publish identical guide lists across every county they cover, the selection here changes by location — driven by the EPA, NSF, FEMA, and CDC datasets that describe the actual conditions documented for this jurisdiction in the federal record.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 11 ZIP codes
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 52.6% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Buncombe County, North Carolina
Overview
Buncombe County in North Carolina covers 27 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (42/100).
19 of 27 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 89 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to North Carolina water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Buncombe County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
52.6% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.