Water System Report NC

Harkers Island Sanitary District

EPA ID: NC0416025 · 2,586 people served · 5 ZIP codes

Five clean years on EPA record — Harkers Island Sanitary District, 2,586 residents served.

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

C · 65
Avg Safety Score
2,586
People Served
5
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.005 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
0
Contaminants Flagged
$247K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Harkers Island Sanitary District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$71,292
Median Household Income
24,223
Service Area Population
31%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
56%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Harkers Island Sanitary District serves a community with a median household income of $71,292 and an estimated 24,223 residents across its service area. Approximately 56% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 31% 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

Harkers Island Sanitary District'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
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
40th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Carteret 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

42 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
27 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 61% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded. 1 exceeds federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: HFPO-DA: 0.01 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in North Carolina

Maxton, Town of
2,598 people
0 violations
0 violations
0 violations
Lake Waccamaw, Town of
2,572 people
B 3 violations
B 3 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,440
PFAS Treatment $120
Water Filtration $60
Total Estimated Cost $1,620

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,620 (one-time) vs. $330 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

HARKERS ISLAND SANITARY DIST (EPA ID: NC0416025) is a community water system in North Carolina that serves approximately 2,586 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
28531 0.005 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 Filter

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

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 4 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.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Harkers Island Sanitary District (NC0416025) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Harkers Island Sanitary District water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Harkers Island Sanitary District has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Harkers Island Sanitary District serve?

Harkers Island Sanitary District serves approximately 2,586 people across 5 ZIP codes in North Carolina.

Where does Harkers Island Sanitary District 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
17
Galvanized — Replacement Required
375
Unknown Material
658
Confirmed Non-Lead

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: 2,586
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 Harkers Island Sanitary District safe to drink?
Harkers Island Sanitary District has a C safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Harkers Island Sanitary District meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Harkers Island Sanitary District serve?
Harkers Island Sanitary District serves approximately 2,586 people with drinking water across 5 ZIP codes.
What is Harkers Island Sanitary District's water source?
Harkers Island Sanitary District draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Harkers Island Sanitary District's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.005 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Harkers Island Sanitary District's service area?
The Harkers Island Sanitary District service area has a median household income of $71,292. EPA EJScreen data classifies 31% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Harkers Island Sanitary District get its water?
Harkers Island Sanitary District'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

Harkers Island Sanitary District (EPA ID: NC0416025) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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