Is Harkers Island, NC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 18 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
86.7/100
waterverge.com Harkers Island, NC — Water Quality Report
Harkers Island's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,680 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 5.0 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 50 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 18 remain unresolved.
What to know about Harkers Island's water
Harkers Island ranks #55 out of 417 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Harkers Island 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.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.07 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
As a small community water system, Harkers Island may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Harkers Island, NC water safe to drink?
Harkers Island's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,680 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Harkers Island
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Harkers Island's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.7/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3586). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4568). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Harkers Island's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Harkers Island's water system has 50 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 18 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Carteret County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2011. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Harkers Island's water come from?
Harkers Island's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 2,680 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Harkers Island residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Harkers Island'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.
Harkers Island'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 Harkers Island
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Harkers Island, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
U.S. MARINE CORPS MCAS CHERRY PT - BT11 BOMBING RANGE - RNGE PINEY ISLAND, NC28516 | — | — | 6.1 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtCarteret County is currently in D2 (severe 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
Carteret County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2011. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 5.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Harkers Island compares by contaminant
Explore where Harkers Island ranks among all North Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Harkers Island's water comes from
Harkers Island's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
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 2,680 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving Harkers Island
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARKERS ISLAND SANITARY DIST | NC0416025 | 2,586 | GW |
| HARKERS VILLAGE S/D | NC0416221 | 94 | GW |
How Harkers Island compares
Full North Carolina rankings →Harkers Island's score of 86.7/100 is above the average of 43/100 among major North Carolina cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View North Carolina rankings →About Harkers Island, NC
Wikipedia →Newport is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,364 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Harkers Island's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Carteret
Frequently asked questions
Is Harkers Island, NC tap water safe to drink?
Harkers Island's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #55 out of 417 cities tested in North Carolina.
What contaminants are in Harkers Island's water?
Lead was measured at 5.0 ppb (90th percentile). 50 violations are on record.
How is Harkers Island'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 Harkers Island?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Harkers Island's water come from?
Harkers Island's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,680 residents.
What health violations has Harkers Island's water system had?
Harkers Island has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2011. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 18 violations remain unresolved.
Is Harkers Island's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Harkers Island 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 50 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 Harkers Island's water compare to other cities?
Harkers Island ranks #55 out of 417 cities in North Carolina (better than 87% of state cities) and #4519 out of 15744 cities nationally (71th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.