01The verdict: is Foxfire Village water safe?
Foxfire Village's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C (64.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,782 residents using groundwater (wells).
35 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 ↓2K people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 12.8 ppb — 85% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Foxfire Village's drinking water received a grade of C (64.2 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,782 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 12.8 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 170 violations on record, including 29 health-based violations. 35 remain unresolved.
Foxfire Village ranks #264 out of 400 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Foxfire Village 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Foxfire Village may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Foxfire Village's water
Every contaminant flagged in Foxfire Village, 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.
Near Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb — no lead level is considered safe for children. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection, and running the cold tap 30 seconds after stagnation reduces exposure.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. | 12.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near Limit |
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
03Foxfire Village'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 170 violations on record, including 29 health-based violations. 35 remain unresolved.
8 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 83 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 13 ppb (2025) — 85% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Foxfire Village's water comes from
Foxfire Village'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.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,782 people
Residents served across Foxfire Village'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 1,782 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOXFIRE VILLAGE, TOWN OF | NC0363479 | 1,782 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Foxfire Village
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Foxfire Village'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.
Flood & storm history
8 federal disaster declarations on record for Moore County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Moore 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 Foxfire Village compares
Scores for nearby North Carolina cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = North Carolina average (43/100)
Foxfire Village scores 64.2/100 — 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 Foxfire Village's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 12.8 ppb
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 Foxfire Village 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 Foxfire Village, NC tap water safe to drink?
Foxfire Village's water quality earned a grade of C (64.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #264 out of 400 cities tested in North Carolina.
What contaminants are in Foxfire Village's water?
Lead was measured at 12.8 ppb (90th percentile). 170 violations are on record.
How is Foxfire Village'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 Foxfire Village?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Foxfire Village's water come from?
Foxfire Village's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,782 residents.
What health violations has Foxfire Village's water system had?
Foxfire Village has 29 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 35 violations remain unresolved.
Is Foxfire Village's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Foxfire Village 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 170 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 Foxfire Village's water compare to other cities?
Foxfire Village ranks #264 out of 400 cities in North Carolina (better than 34% of state cities) and #11500 out of 15382 cities nationally (25th percentile). The grade of C reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Foxfire Village's small water system affect quality?
Foxfire Village's system serves approximately 1,782 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 170 violations on record.