Health Violations Found NC 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Columbus Town of

EPA ID: NC0175015 · 2,489 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Per EPA records, Columbus Town of: 11 unresolved violations, 2,489 people in service area.

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

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
2,489
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
11
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
4
Contaminants Flagged
$284K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Columbus Town of Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$61,253
Median Household Income
12,335
Service Area Population
14%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
58%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Columbus Town of serves a community with a median household income of $61,253 and an estimated 12,335 residents across its service area. Approximately 58% 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

Columbus Town of'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
40th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Polk County, North Carolina rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

48 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
23 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 68% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Columbus Town of compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

Swepsonville, Town of
2,497 people
A 3 violations
Mayodan, Town of
2,478 people
C 3 violations
C 0 violations
Lauradale S/d
2,527 people
0 violations
Green Level, Town of
2,450 people
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 $400
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,850

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,850 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

Columbus Town of (EPA ID: NC0175015) is a community water system in North Carolina that serves approximately 2,489 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

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. 11 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
February 28, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
February 23, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
February 10, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 4 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 4 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 Columbus Town of (NC0175015) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus Town of water safe to drink?

Columbus Town of 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 Columbus Town of serve?

Columbus Town of serves approximately 2,489 people across 2 ZIP codes in North Carolina.

Where does Columbus Town of get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Columbus Town of safe to drink?
Columbus Town of has a C safety grade based on 11 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Columbus Town of's water?
Detected contaminants include Surface Water Treatment Rule, Lead and Copper Rule, 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 4 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 Columbus Town of serve?
Columbus Town of serves approximately 2,489 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Columbus Town of's water source?
Columbus Town of draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Columbus Town of's service area?
The Columbus Town of service area has a median household income of $61,253. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Columbus Town of get its water?
Columbus Town of'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 violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

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

Columbus Town of (EPA ID: NC0175015) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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