01The verdict: is Cleveland water safe?
Cleveland's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (52.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,070 residents using groundwater (wells).
31 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 3.8 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓24 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Cleveland's drinking water received a grade of D+ (52.3 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,070 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 3.8 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 227 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 31 remain unresolved.
Cleveland ranks #310 out of 400 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Cleveland relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. As a small community water system, Cleveland may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 24 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Cleveland's water
Every contaminant flagged in Cleveland, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 3.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in North Carolina
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in North Carolina
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Cleveland's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 227 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 31 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 4 ppb since 2016. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Cleveland's water comes from
Cleveland's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
3 systems
3 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
1,070 people
Residents served across Cleveland's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,070 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLEVELAND, TOWN OF | NC0180050 | 872 | Groundwater |
| CEDAR GLENN MHP INC | NC0180194 | 198 | Groundwater |
| LAKE RIDGE S/D | NC0180223 | 122 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Cleveland
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Cleveland's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 3 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
6 federal disaster declarations on record for Rowan County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Rowan County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Cleveland compares
Scores for nearby North Carolina cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = North Carolina average (43/100)
Cleveland scores 52.3/100 — above the North Carolina average of 43/100. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities. Full North Carolina rankings →
36.5 / 100FRaleigh, NC
30.7 / 100AClemmons, NC
86 / 100FDurham, NC
36.6 / 100FGreensboro, NC
33.5 / 100FCary, NC
34.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Cleveland's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Cleveland's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Cleveland alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Cleveland, NC tap water safe to drink?
Cleveland's water quality earned a grade of D+ (52.3/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #310 out of 400 cities tested in North Carolina.
What contaminants are in Cleveland's water?
Lead was measured at 3.8 ppb (90th percentile). 227 violations are on record.
How is Cleveland's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Cleveland?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Cleveland's water come from?
Cleveland's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 1,070 residents.
What health violations has Cleveland's water system had?
Cleveland has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 31 violations remain unresolved.
Is Cleveland's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Cleveland uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 227 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Cleveland's water compare to other cities?
Cleveland ranks #310 out of 400 cities in North Carolina (better than 22% of state cities) and #12555 out of 15382 cities nationally (18th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.