Lee County, North Carolina
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 84/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
The 6 water systems serving Lee County show strong compliance with federal drinking water standards.
How Lee County Compares
How Lee County Compares
Lee County scores 11 points above the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 16 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Lee 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: 13.8 (asthma 10.9%, diabetes 13.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $965, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.35% avg pipe failure probability, 17% of ZIPs at high risk
47.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Lee County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 14 violations. Past 5 years: 17 total (17 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: $965
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
43,014 housing units in Lee 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 Lee County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Lee 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 Lee 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 Lee County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Sanford, | 48,350 | 43 |
| 2 | Chatham Company-north | 23,088 | 42 |
| 3 | Pittsboro, Town of | 6,060 | 42 |
| 4 | Carolina Trace Water System | 4,516 | 42 |
| 5 | Chatham Company-sw Chatham | 2,470 | 42 |
15 total water systems serve Lee County.
All ZIP Codes in Lee County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Lee County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28326 | Cameron | 92 | A | 5 | $245K |
| 2 | 27331 | Sanford | 90 | A | 14 (5 health) | — |
| 3 | 27505 | Broadway | 87 | A | 1 | $191K |
| 4 | 27330 | Sanford | 85 | A | 14 (5 health) | $213K |
| 5 | 27332 | Sanford | 85 | A | 14 (5 health) | $224K |
| 6 | 28368 | Olivia | 66 | C | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Lee County
Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lee County, North Carolina
Overview
Lee County in North Carolina covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (84/100).
5 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 15 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.