Health Violations Found NC 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Fairfield Mountains No 1

EPA ID: NC0181126 · 1,798 people served · 1 ZIP code

A total of 8 EPA violations spanning the past five monitoring years sit on Fairfield Mountains No 1's record — every finding has been officially cleared, and the supplier now holds current compliance status for its service population of approximately 1,798 people, with no outstanding enforcement of any kind.

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

B · 77
Avg Safety Score
1,798
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
8
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0039 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
4
Contaminants Flagged
$433K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Fairfield Mountains No 1 Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$65,703
Median Household Income
2,734
Service Area Population
46%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
45%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Fairfield Mountains No 1 serves a community with a median household income of $65,703 and an estimated 2,734 residents across its service area. Approximately 45% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 46% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Fairfield Mountains No 1'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
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Rutherford 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

45 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
25 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 64% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Fairfield Mountains No 1 compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

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

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in North Carolina

Black Creek, Town of
1,795 people
A 2 violations
Ramseur, Town of
1,790 people
B 9 violations
Broadway, Town of
1,783 people
A 1 violation
0 violations
City of Saluda
1,814 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 $1,800
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,500

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 $2,500 (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

Fairfield Mountains No 1 (EPA ID: NC0181126) is a community water system in North Carolina that serves approximately 1,798 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 28746 in Lake Lure.

Average Home Safety Score: B (77/100)

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
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment 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
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 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
28746 0.0039 mg/L No N/A

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 Fairfield Mountains No 1 (NC0181126) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fairfield Mountains No 1 water safe to drink?

Fairfield Mountains No 1 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 Fairfield Mountains No 1 serve?

Fairfield Mountains No 1 serves approximately 1,798 people across 1 ZIP code in North Carolina.

Where does Fairfield Mountains No 1 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
507
Unknown Material
187
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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,798
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 Fairfield Mountains No 1 safe to drink?
Fairfield Mountains No 1 earns a B safety grade with 8 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Fairfield Mountains No 1's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 2 DBP Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Revised Total Coliform 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 Fairfield Mountains No 1 serve?
Fairfield Mountains No 1 serves approximately 1,798 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Fairfield Mountains No 1's water source?
Fairfield Mountains No 1 draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Fairfield Mountains No 1's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0039 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Fairfield Mountains No 1's service area?
The Fairfield Mountains No 1 service area has a median household income of $65,703. EPA EJScreen data classifies 46% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Fairfield Mountains No 1 get its water?
Fairfield Mountains No 1'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

Fairfield Mountains No 1 (EPA ID: NC0181126) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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