Is Franklinville, NC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B-, with 15 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
74/100
waterverge.com Franklinville, NC — Water Quality Report
Franklinville's drinking water received a grade of B- (74 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,400 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 11.0 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 67 violations on record, including 45 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.
What to know about Franklinville's water
Franklinville ranks #218 out of 417 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
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, Franklinville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Franklinville, NC water safe to drink?
Franklinville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,400 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Franklinville
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Franklinville's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (74/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3586). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3534). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Franklinville's water supply.
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection.
Violation history
Franklinville's water system has 67 total violations on record, including 45 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Randolph County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 2004. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Deep River.
Where does Franklinville's water come from?
Franklinville's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,400 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Deep River (river).
What Franklinville residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Franklinville's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Franklinville's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Franklinville
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Franklinville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 16 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
OLIVER RUBBER CO ASHEBORO, NC27205 | Zinc compounds | 16 | 7.8 mi |
VPC FOAM USA INC. ASHEBORO, NC27203 | — | — | 4.9 mi |
STARPET INC ASHEBORO, NC27203 | — | — | 7.7 mi |
KENNAMETAL INC ASHEBORO, NC27203 | — | — | 6.6 mi |
PUGH LUBRICANTS - ASHEBORO ASHEBORO, NC27205 | — | — | 9.2 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtRandolph County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Randolph County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 2004. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Franklinville's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 11.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Franklinville compares by contaminant
Explore where Franklinville ranks among all North Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Franklinville's water comes from
Franklinville's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,400 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Franklinville
Franklinville is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Franklinville
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANKLINVILLE, TOWN OF | NC0276035 | 1,400 | SWP |
How Franklinville compares
Full North Carolina rankings →Franklinville's score of 74/100 is above the average of 43/100 among major North Carolina cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View North Carolina rankings →Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Franklinville's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Randolph
Frequently asked questions
Is Franklinville, NC tap water safe to drink?
Franklinville's water quality earned a grade of B- (74/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #218 out of 417 cities tested in North Carolina.
What contaminants are in Franklinville's water?
Lead was measured at 11.0 ppb (90th percentile). 67 violations are on record.
How is Franklinville'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 Franklinville?
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 Franklinville's water come from?
Franklinville's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,400 residents.
What health violations has Franklinville's water system had?
Franklinville has 45 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2016. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 15 violations remain unresolved.
How does Franklinville's water compare to other cities?
Franklinville ranks #218 out of 417 cities in North Carolina (better than 48% of state cities) and #9963 out of 15744 cities nationally (37th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Franklinville's small water system affect quality?
Franklinville's system serves approximately 1,400 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 67 violations on record.