Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT LEAD EXCEEDS LIMIT PFAS DETECTED

Lead Exceeds EPA Limit at Union County Public Schools (NC)

12 ZIP codes · 18 water systems · 4,337,381 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Union County Public Schools: 10 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23

B · 76
Avg Safety Score
12
ZIP Codes
18
Water Systems
63
Violations (5yr)
0.0088 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
1
ZIPs Over Lead Limit
12
ZIPs with PFAS
Zone 2
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The Union County Public Schools in North Carolina spans 12 ZIP codes served by 18 community water systems, providing water to approximately 4,337,381 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is B (76/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 55/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 64% of ZIP codes nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0088 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.024 mg/L 0.015 mg/L EXCEEDS
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 1 of 12 -
Lead action level exceeded in 1 area. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that water in schools contain no more than 1 ppb (0.001 mg/L) of lead - 15 times stricter than the EPA action level. Consider requesting lead testing at your child's school.

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 12 of 12 ZIP codes in this district.

Detected compounds: PFPeA, PFHxA, PFBA, PFOS, PFOA, PFBS.

Highest measured level: 0.0106 µg/L.

PFAS can accumulate in the body over time. Children's higher water intake relative to body weight makes them particularly susceptible. Reverse osmosis filters (NSF/ANSI 58) are the most effective at removing PFAS.

Learn more about PFAS in drinking water →

EPA Violation History

14 health-based violations recorded across 7 of 12 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 10 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 19 No 4
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 11 Yes 4
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 11 No 5
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 6 Yes 3
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 6 Yes 4
Combined Radium Radionuclides 4 Yes 1
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 4 Yes 1
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No 2

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate risk)

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
28227 Charlotte B (78) 38 12 0.005 mg/L No
28110 Monroe A (86) 8 1 0.0064 mg/L No
28112 Monroe A (91) 8 1 0.0064 mg/L No
28103 Marshville C (62) 5 0 0.024 mg/L Yes
28133 Peachland A (86) 2 0 — —
28173 Waxhaw A (85) 1 0 — —
28174 Wingate A (99) 1 0 0.002 mg/L No
28079 Indian Trail C (55) 0 0 — —
28104 Matthews C (63) 0 0 — —
28105 Matthews C (55) 0 0 — —
28107 Midland A (87) 0 0 — —
28108 Mineral Springs C (66) 0 0 — —

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
CHARLOTTE WATER 1,163,701 Surface water 28079, 28104, 28105, 28227
Union County Water System 167,554 Surface water 28079, 28103, 28104 +8 more
City of Concord, 120,548 Surface water 28107
City of Monroe, 43,081 Surface water 28079, 28110, 28112
Anson County Water System 13,880 Surface water 28133
Fairfield Harbour 5,514 Groundwater 28227
Carolina Trace Water System 4,516 Surface water 28227
North River/mill Creek Water Service Dis 4,417 Groundwater 28227

18 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: HIGH. 1 ZIP code in this district exceed the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 39.4% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 5.7% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 10.9% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0088 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.024 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L

Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.

Detailed Violation History

5 health-based contaminants have triggered violations in this district: Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Combined Radium, Stage 2 DBP Rule.
Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 19 No 4
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 11 No 5
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 11 Yes 4
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 6 Yes 4
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 6 Yes 3
Combined Radium Radionuclides 4 Yes 1
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 4 Yes 1
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No 2

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 28103 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 28110 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 28110 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 28110 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 28110 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Union County Public Schools Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Union County Public Schools area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 14 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • 1 ZIP code have lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead is especially dangerous for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in 12 of 12 ZIP codes. Current levels are below EPA maximums.
  • 10 violations remain unresolved, meaning the issues have not been officially corrected.

Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.

What Parents Should Do

Testing

  1. Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Union County Public Schools school board for the most recent results.
  2. Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.
  3. Ask about PFAS testing. PFAS have been detected in this district. Request specific PFAS testing results from your water utility.

Advocacy

  1. Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
  2. Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
  3. Contact your water utility about the 10 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.

Resources

ZIP Code Reports for This District

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Consider a water filter for your home - NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) filters are certified to remove lead. This is especially important for infant formula preparation.
  4. Address PFAS - If PFAS are detected in your area, a reverse osmosis or activated carbon block filter rated NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 can reduce levels significantly.
  5. Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  6. Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Union County Public Schools schools?

Water systems serving Union County Public Schools have recorded 14 health-based violations in the past 5 years, and 1 area exceeds the EPA lead action level. While utilities are required to meet federal standards, individual school buildings may have older plumbing that can introduce contaminants. Parents should request lead testing results from their school.

Does Union County Public Schools test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Are there PFAS in Union County Public Schools water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 12 of 12 ZIP codes served by this district. PFAS are "forever chemicals" that do not break down and can accumulate in the body. The EPA has set maximum contaminant levels for certain PFAS compounds. Reverse osmosis filters are the most effective at removing PFAS from drinking water.

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Home → School Districts → North Carolina → Union County Public Schools

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Lead Exceeds EPA Limit at Union County Public Schools (NC). https://zipcheckup.com/schools/union-county-public-schools-nc/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-union-county-public-schools-nc,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Lead Exceeds EPA Limit at Union County Public Schools (NC)}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/union-county-public-schools-nc/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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