Durham County Water Quality: 152 Violations (NC)
22 water systems · 9 ZIP codes · Average ZIP-level Home Safety model score 77/100 (B) · 7 of 17 tracked ZIP records scored
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO
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Find the Right Filter →Water Quality Overview
Durham County has 22 community water systems across 9 directly mapped ZIP records. The systems report serving approximately 1,337,888 people. The available records contain 152 EPA violations, including 4 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 3% of all violations in Durham County. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health.
Year-by-year violation counts, enforcement actions and violation counts by contaminant are not shown for this county: the source records them per ZIP code, so a water system serving several ZIP codes would be counted several times. The county totals above count each water system once.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 4 | 2.6% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 148 | 97.4% |
| Total | 152 | 100% |
Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL (disinfectant) and treatment-technique violations. Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report.
Cities with Most Violations
| Rank | City | Violations | Health-Based | ZIP Codes | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | 152 | 4 | 8 | 313,633 |
| 2 | Bahama | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5,092 |
Most Common Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 9 | No |
| Nitrate | Inorganic | 2 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | No |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 3 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 3 | Yes |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Cyanide | Inorganic | 1 | No |
Water Data and the Home Safety Score
This page reports EPA water-system facts without converting the broader Home Safety Score into a drinking-water grade. The county Home Safety grade (B) is a separate multi-source index that also requires PFAS screening, radon, and annual air-quality evidence. Check each ZIP report for the versioned score and its component coverage.
Water Systems in Durham County
Durham County is served by 22 community water systems, averaging 1.3 systems per ZIP code. Each system is independently regulated and tested by the EPA. Larger systems serving more people typically have more extensive monitoring requirements.
Water systems in Durham County source water from a mix of surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells, aquifers). Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be detected.
How to Check Your Water in Durham County
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water-system data including contaminant levels and violation history; the Home Safety Score is shown separately with its model version
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400) can detect contaminants not covered by routine testing
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
Check for lead — homes built before 1986 should test for lead regardless of utility compliance
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Source publication schedules vary. See the page source and verification fields for available timing evidence.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Durham County
Water quality varies across Durham County's 9 ZIP codes. Each row counts the EPA violations of every water system mapped to that ZIP, so a system serving several ZIP codes appears in several rows and the rows do not add up to the county total. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
Water facts and the Home Safety Score
The score shown here is the broader Home Safety Score, not a water-quality grade. Model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, PFAS screening, radon zones, and annual air-quality evidence. Durham County has a score of 77/100 (Grade B) across 7 scored of 17 tracked ZIP records.
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Find the Right Filter →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe in Durham County, North Carolina?
Durham County has 22 community water systems with 152 recorded EPA violations, including 4 health-based. Water quality varies by ZIP code - check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Durham County have?
The 22 water systems with EPA records that serve ZIP codes in Durham County have 152 recorded EPA violations, each system counted once. 4 are health-based.
Which city in Durham County has the most water violations?
Durham has the most violations in Durham County with 152 recorded EPA violations for the 22 water systems serving its 8 ZIP codes.
What contaminants are found in Durham County water?
Durham County water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. Check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.
How can I test my water in Durham County?
Contact your local water utility for free or low-cost testing. You can also use a certified home test kit ($20-$50) or hire a certified lab ($150-$400).