Buffalo Creek S/d
EPA ID: NC0351189 · 721 people served · 8 ZIP codes
Water monitoring history at Buffalo Creek S/d shows a clean slate — EPA tracking over the past five years turned up no violations, and 721 residents continue to receive fully compliant service.
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 7 (2023) to 5 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Buffalo Creek S/d Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade A
Service Area Demographics
The Buffalo Creek S/d serves a community with a median household income of $71,272 and an estimated 205,276 residents across its service area.
Environmental Justice Note: 49% 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?
Buffalo Creek S/d'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.
About 0% of homes in Johnston 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
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 65 detections recorded. 17 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
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
Buffalo Creek S/d (EPA ID: NC0351189) is a community water system in North Carolina that serves approximately 721 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 8 ZIP codes across 7 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: A (89/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27597 | 0.00521 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
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: 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.
- 27520 — Clayton
- 27527 — Clayton
- 27542 — Kenly
- 27557 — Middlesex
- 27576 — Selma
- 27577 — Smithfield
- 27591 — Wendell
- 27597 — Zebulon
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Buffalo Creek S/d (NC0351189) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo Creek S/d water safe to drink?
Based on EPA records, Buffalo Creek S/d has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.
How many people does Buffalo Creek S/d serve?
Buffalo Creek S/d serves approximately 721 people across 8 ZIP codes in North Carolina.
Where does Buffalo Creek S/d 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:
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.
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.