City of Asheville
EPA ID: NC0111010 · 157,431 people served · 24 ZIP codes
Compliance tracking for City of Asheville shows 6 pending violations logged in the EPA system — the supplier delivers water to approximately 157,431 residents while those findings remain open.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 2 (2022) to 109 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Asheville Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade F
Service Area Demographics
The City of Asheville serves a community with a median household income of $72,717 and an estimated 329,645 residents across its service area. Approximately 44% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
City of Asheville's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Buncombe County, North Carolina rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 67th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Asheville compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in North Carolina
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
ASHEVILLE CITY OF (EPA ID: NC0111010) is a community water system in North Carolina that serves approximately 157,431 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 24 ZIP codes across 14 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: F (36/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 21, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 29, 2025 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Coliform (TCR) | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0800 | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Chlorite | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 20, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 19, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 7 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | Yes |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Coliform (TCR) | Microbiological | 1 | Yes |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →
Total Coliform Bacteria (EPA limit: 0 positive samples allowed in most monthly sets (Revised Total Coliform Rule))
Gastrointestinal illness; indicator of system failure or contamination At-risk groups: elderly, infants, immunocompromised individuals.
Removal methods: chlorine disinfection, UV treatment, ozone treatment. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28801 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28802 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28803 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28804 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28805 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28806 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28810 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28813 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28814 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28815 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28816 | 0.0293 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 28748 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 28732 | 0.0039 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 28704 | 0.0034 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 17 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 7 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 28701 — Alexander
- 28704 — Arden
- 28711 — Black Mountain
- 28715 — Candler
- 28730 — Fairview
- 28732 — Fletcher
- 28742 — Horse Shoe
- 28748 — Leicester
- 28759 — Mills River
- 28776 — Skyland
- 28778 — Swannanoa
- 28787 — Weaverville
- 28792 — Hendersonville
- 28801 — Asheville
- 28802 — Asheville
- 28803 — Asheville
- 28804 — Asheville
- 28805 — Asheville
- 28806 — Asheville
- 28810 — Asheville
- 28813 — Asheville
- 28814 — Asheville
- 28815 — Asheville
- 28816 — Asheville
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Asheville (NC0111010) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Asheville water safe to drink?
City of Asheville has recorded 7 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does City of Asheville serve?
City of Asheville serves approximately 157,431 people across 24 ZIP codes in North Carolina.
Where does City of Asheville get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Contact Your Water Utility
Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.
Contact information from City of Asheville Water Resources Department Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Water Source & Treatment
Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.
Source: City of Asheville Water Resources Department Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
North Fork Reservoir rated Higher susceptibility; Mills River rated Moderate; Bee Tree Reservoir rated Moderate; French Broad River rated Higher (used only during extreme drought). Susceptibility rating indicates potential to become contaminated, not poor current water quality.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
Treatment chemicals and what each one does
Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.
Watershed exposure sources reported
Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from City of Asheville Water Resources Department Consumer Confidence Report.
Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Aesthetic water quality
These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.
Aesthetic measurements from City of Asheville Water Resources Department Consumer Confidence Report.
Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.
Notable events and violations
This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.
Federal compliance violations on record
These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).
-
MCL · TurbidityOctober 2024
MCL for turbidity exceeded 5 NTU per 40 CFR 141.13(b) after Tropical Storm Helene; untreated water was fed into distribution system for fire protection from October 4–30, 2024; 2-day running average turbidity ranged 15–28 NTU.
-
TT · CryptosporidiumOctober 2024
Treatment technique requirement for 2-log removal of Cryptosporidium per 40 CFR 141.170(a)(1) violated when untreated water entered distribution system after Tropical Storm Helene; Boil Water Notice in effect October 4 – November 18, 2024.
Violations record from City of Asheville Water Resources Department Consumer Confidence Report.
Notable events from the utility's CCR
These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.
- Tropical Storm Helene (October 2024): untreated water fed into distribution for fire protection and sanitation; Boil Water Notice issued October 4 – November 18, 2024; two regulatory violations received (turbidity MCL + Cryptosporidium TT).
- Non-compliance lead sampling in Nov–Dec 2024: 90th percentile <3 ppb but 12 of 30 sites exceeded action level (max 81 ppb) due to loss of corrosion control for ~19 days during Helene response.
- UCMR5 testing performed quarterly in 2024 — no PFAS detections.
ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
City of Asheville (EPA ID: NC0111010) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.