North Carolina Water Quality Report: 12,821 Violations Across 1,085 ZIPs
2,652 water systems · 1,085 ZIP codes · 12,821 violations · Updated 2026-06-11
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified: 2026-06-11
ZipCheckup tracks EPA drinking-water compliance for 2,652 public water systems serving 1,085 ZIP codes in North Carolina. The state record shows 12,821 EPA violations, 2,075 health-based.
City Water Quality Map: North Carolina
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Violation Trend
EPA violations across all water systems in North Carolina.
Cities with Most Violations in North Carolina
| # | City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | C | 3,432 | 19 | 560,455 | Details → |
| 2 | Charlotte | B | 2,812 | 10 | 967,202 | Details → |
| 3 | Greensboro | A | 1,073 | 14 | 332,896 | Details → |
| 4 | Cary | C | 645 | 9 | 167,694 | Details → |
| 5 | Durham | A | 512 | 13 | 313,633 | Details → |
| 6 | Asheville | F | 275 | 6 | 139,361 | Details → |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | B | 255 | 10 | 107,660 | Details → |
| 8 | Wilmington | A | 204 | 11 | 212,039 | Details → |
| 9 | Fayetteville | A | 110 | 16 | 245,182 | Details → |
| 10 | Reidsville | C | 105 | 7 | 38,610 | Details → |
Cities with Best Water Quality in North Carolina
| # | City | Grade | Score | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camp Lejeune | A | 97/100 | 5 | 24,825 |
| 2 | Roxboro | A | 95/100 | 1 | 26,117 |
| 3 | Trinity | A | 95/100 | 2 | 15,223 |
| 4 | West End | A | 95/100 | 8 | 9,693 |
| 5 | Colfax | A | 95/100 | 3 | 4,963 |
| 6 | Cherry Point | A | 95/100 | 1 | 2,741 |
| 7 | Deep Run | A | 95/100 | 4 | 2,684 |
| 8 | Cove City | A | 93/100 | 3 | 2,710 |
| 9 | Elizabeth City | A | 90/100 | 4 | 40,878 |
| 10 | Willard | A | 90/100 | 4 | 4,591 |
Most Common Contaminants in North Carolina
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2,508 | 483 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 1,789 | 512 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 1,362 | 406 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1,316 | 364 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 1,207 | 247 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 1,006 | 303 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 838 | 216 | Yes |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 355 | 130 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 323 | 131 | Yes |
| Contaminant 2946 | Other | 90 | 45 | Yes |
Water Quality Overview
North Carolina has 2,652 community water systems serving approximately 14,353,142 people across 1,085 ZIP codes. These systems have accumulated 12,821 EPA violations, including 2,075 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 16% of all violations in North Carolina. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health, as opposed to monitoring or reporting failures.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 2,075 | 16.2% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 10,746 | 83.8% |
| Total | 12,821 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report — these do not necessarily mean unsafe water, but they mean the water was not properly verified.
Cities with Most Violations
The following cities in North Carolina have the highest number of EPA violations:
| Rank | City | Grade | Violations | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | C | 3,432 | 19 | 560,455 |
| 2 | Charlotte | B | 2,812 | 10 | 967,202 |
| 3 | Greensboro | A | 1,073 | 14 | 332,896 |
| 4 | Cary | C | 645 | 9 | 167,694 |
| 5 | Durham | A | 512 | 13 | 313,633 |
| 6 | Asheville | F | 275 | 6 | 139,361 |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | B | 255 | 10 | 107,660 |
| 8 | Wilmington | A | 204 | 11 | 212,039 |
| 9 | Fayetteville | A | 110 | 16 | 245,182 |
| 10 | Reidsville | C | 105 | 7 | 38,610 |
Violation counts are cumulative across all water systems serving each city. Higher counts may reflect larger systems with more monitoring requirements, not necessarily worse water quality.
Cities with Best Water Quality
These North Carolina cities have monitored water systems graded A with no recorded EPA violations:
| Rank | City | Grade | Score | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camp Lejeune | A | 97/100 | 5 | 24,825 |
| 2 | Roxboro | A | 95/100 | 1 | 26,117 |
| 3 | Trinity | A | 95/100 | 2 | 15,223 |
| 4 | West End | A | 95/100 | 8 | 9,693 |
| 5 | Colfax | A | 95/100 | 3 | 4,963 |
| 6 | Cherry Point | A | 95/100 | 1 | 2,741 |
| 7 | Deep Run | A | 95/100 | 4 | 2,684 |
| 8 | Cove City | A | 93/100 | 3 | 2,710 |
| 9 | Elizabeth City | A | 90/100 | 4 | 40,878 |
| 10 | Willard | A | 90/100 | 4 | 4,591 |
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded across all water systems in North Carolina:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 75 | 75 |
| 2022 | 193 | 193 |
| 2023 | 219 | 219 |
| 2024 | 1,159 | 1,159 |
| 2025 | 275 | 275 |
Violations have increased from 75 in 2021 to 275 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring and may reflect expanded testing requirements rather than worsening quality.
Most Common Contaminants
The following contaminants have caused the most violations across North Carolina water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2,508 | 483 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 1,789 | 512 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 1,362 | 406 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1,316 | 364 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 1,207 | 247 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 1,006 | 303 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 838 | 216 | Yes |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 355 | 130 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 323 | 131 | Yes |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 75 | 46 | Yes |
How to Check Your Water in North Carolina
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water system data including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
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)
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 8,698 enforcement actions against water systems in North Carolina. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Updated daily.
What are EPA violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - the legal limit designed to protect human health. North Carolina has 2,075 such violations across its water systems. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Understanding water quality grades
ZipCheckup grades water systems from A to F based on EPA violation history, contaminant levels, and system compliance. Grade A means few or no violations; Grade F indicates persistent or serious issues. Grades are calculated per ZIP code and aggregated at the city, county, and state level.
Wondering about your tap water?
Water quality varies by ZIP code. Enter yours to see contaminant data, violations, and filtration recommendations specific to your area.
Check Your ZIP Code Water Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in North Carolina?
North Carolina has 2,652 community water systems with 12,821 recorded EPA violations, including 2,075 health-based. Water quality varies by city and ZIP code - check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does North Carolina have?
North Carolina has 12,821 total EPA violations across 1,085 ZIP codes. 2,075 are health-based violations that indicate contaminant levels potentially harmful to human health. The remainder are monitoring or reporting violations.
Which city in North Carolina has the worst water quality?
Raleigh, NC has the most EPA violations among major cities in North Carolina with 3432 recorded violations. Check individual ZIP codes for the most accurate picture of your local water quality.
Which city in North Carolina has the best water quality?
Camp Lejeune, NC ranks among the best for water quality in North Carolina with a grade of A. Multiple cities in North Carolina maintain strong EPA compliance records.
What contaminants are found in North Carolina drinking water?
North Carolina water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. The most common violations vary by region - check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.