Cary, NC (27518): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems
EPA data combined for 10 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: Cary, Town of)
Health-based violation records by water system:
- Cary, Town of (1)
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 27518 in Cary, NC contain 12 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 1 are marked health-based.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS
At a Glance
- Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 1 health-based violation and 11 non-health-based (since 2021).
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result is below the laboratory reporting limit, not a measured zero; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
- PFAS At least one PFAS result is above an EPA MCL value (UCMR5 sampling; MCL compliance required from 2029).
- Radon EPA Zone 2 - county-level radon potential, not a home measurement.
- Flood 90 cumulative NFIP claim records. Check the current FEMA map for a specific address.
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The critical alert on record for 27518 in Cary stands alone - no high-priority findings appear in the same compiled data.
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: Score unavailable
Required evidence is missing. Missing values remain unknown and are not imputed or renormalized.
The score is withheld for this ZIP: a water system serving it has EPA UCMR5 PFAS results above the value of an EPA PFAS MCL (with compliance required from 2029), and the current score input does not include that system. We will show the score again once it is recalculated with that system's PFAS results included.
Canonical components
Required domains
Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.
Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.
Safety & Health (8) CRITICAL
Your Water System
ZIP code 27518 in Cary, North Carolina is mapped to the water system Cary, Town of (EPA ID: NC0392020). This system provides water to approximately 227,300 people from surface water sources.
There are 10 community water systems serving this area.
Lead & Copper in Your Water
The EPA requires water systems to monitor lead and copper levels under the Lead and Copper Rule.
| Metal | Measured Level | EPA Action Level | Status | Sample Date or Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Action-level exceedance on record | 1.3 mg/L | Exceeds action level | Not present in ZipCheckup accepted source data |
Water Systems Serving This Area
| System Name | EPA ID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, Town of | NC0392020 | 227,300 | Surface water |
| City of Raleigh, | NC0392010 | 650,000 | Surface water |
| Apex, Town of | NC0392045 | 83,001 | Surface water |
| Meadow Ridge S/d | NC0392363 | 453 | Groundwater |
| Swift Creek Master System | NC0392361 | 465 | Groundwater |
Other Water Quality Reports in North Carolina
- 27006 (Advance) - 9 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27007 (Ararat)
- 27009 (Belews Creek) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 27010 (Bethania)
- 27011 (Boonville) - 25 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27012 (Clemmons) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27013 (Cleveland) - 7 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27014 (Cooleemee) - 9 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27016 (Danbury)
- 27017 (Dobson) - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27018 (East Bend) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27019 (Germanton) - 98 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27020 (Hamptonville) - 6 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27021 (King) - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27022 (Lawsonville)
- 27023 (Lewisville) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 27024 (Lowgap)
- 27025 (Madison) - 21 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27027 (Mayodan) - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27028 (Mocksville) - 15 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Nearby Water Quality Reports
- 27511 (Cary) - 2 mi - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27502 (Apex) - 4 mi - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27523 (Apex) - 4 mi - 10 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27539 (Apex) - 4 mi - 131 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27606 (Raleigh) - 4 mi - 43 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27513 (Cary) - 5 mi - 7 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27602 (Raleigh) - 6 mi
- 27512 (Cary) - 7 mi
- 27603 (Raleigh) - 7 mi - 279 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 27607 (Raleigh) - 7 mi - 4 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Cary, Town of (NC0392020) on EPA.gov.
4 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.
PFAS Contamination Detected
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 27518. One or more compound results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029.
Detected compounds: PFOS, PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS.
Highest measured level: 0.012 µg/L
Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.
Environmental Hazards (11) MODERATE
Home & Infrastructure (7) OK
Cost & Community (9) HIGH
CPSC product recall notices
These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.
Protect Your Home in Cary
Based on local data for ZIP 27518, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.
Based on local data for your area. Use the tools below to explore your options.
Home & Flood Insurance
The ZIP code for this report in Cary has 90 FEMA flood claims on record. Standard homeowner policies don't cover flood damage - make sure you're protected.
Typical cost: Flood insurance: premiums vary by property and flood zone; request a quote
Check Your Flood Zone (Free)FEMA flood map lookup - see if your property is in a flood zone
Free tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov (free lookup)
Service recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in 27518 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 12 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 27518 (primary system: Cary, Town of), including 1 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.
Where does 27518's water come from?
The recorded water source for Cary, Town of, a system mapped to ZIP code 27518, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 227,300 people.
How can I get my water tested in Cary?
If Cary, Town of supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.
What is the radon risk for 27518?
27518 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 2 (moderate county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Wake County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.
Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 27518's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 27518. One or more PFAS results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.
What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 27518?
FEMA records contain 90 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 27518; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is X, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. This is a substantial claim history, but claim count is not a count of distinct events or properties. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). Cary, NC (27518): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems. https://zipcheckup.com/report/27518/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-27518,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Cary, NC (27518): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/27518/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 27518
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27511 | Cary, NC | 2.4 mi | B | 3 |
| 27502 | Apex, NC | 3.8 mi | C | 3 |
| 27523 | Apex, NC | 3.8 mi | B | 10 |
| 27539 | Apex, NC | 3.8 mi | D | 131 |
| 27606 | Raleigh, NC | 4.2 mi | D | 43 |
| 27513 | Cary, NC | 4.7 mi | B | 7 |
| 27602 | Raleigh, NC | 6.1 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 27512 | Cary, NC | 6.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 27603 | Raleigh, NC | 6.8 mi | D | 279 |
| 27607 | Raleigh, NC | 6.9 mi | C | 4 |
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