Health Violations Found NC 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Montreat Water System

EPA ID: NC0111484 · 798 people served · 2 ZIP codes

3 total violations across five years at Montreat Water System — every finding closed, utility compliant today, 798 served.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 69
Avg Safety Score
798
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.004 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Montreat Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$69,177
Median Household Income
13,053
Service Area Population
27%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
30th
Energy Burden Percentile
66%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Montreat Water System serves a community with a median household income of $69,177 and an estimated 13,053 residents across its service area. Approximately 66% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Montreat Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

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 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

57 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
14 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 80% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Montreat Water System compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in North Carolina

Fair Bluff, Town of
800 people
B 4 violations
Cullasaja Club
800 people
0 violations
0 violations
Aurora Water System
805 people
0 violations
Grover, Town of
805 people
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $2,150
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $3,650

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,650 (one-time) vs. $5,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Montreat Water System (EPA ID: NC0111484) is a community water system in North Carolina that serves approximately 798 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (69/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
28757 0.004 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 Filter

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

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by NC or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Montreat Water System (NC0111484) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montreat Water System water safe to drink?

Montreat Water System has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 Montreat Water System serve?

Montreat Water System serves approximately 798 people across 2 ZIP codes in North Carolina.

Where does Montreat Water System get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
679
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Reporting compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 2E.
Compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 4G.
Population served: 798
Reported to North Carolina

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Montreat Water System safe to drink?
Montreat Water System has a C safety grade based on 3 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Montreat Water System's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 2 DBP Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Montreat Water System serve?
Montreat Water System serves approximately 798 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Montreat Water System's water source?
Montreat Water System draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Montreat Water System's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.004 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Montreat Water System's service area?
The Montreat Water System service area has a median household income of $69,177. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Montreat Water System get its water?
Montreat Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Montreat Water System (EPA ID: NC0111484) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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