01The verdict: is Jefferson water safe?
Jefferson's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (45/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,123 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 3.30 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 3.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓11 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 ↓Jefferson's drinking water received a grade of D (45 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,123 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 3.0 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 404 violations on record, including 33 health-based violations. 69 remain unresolved.
Jefferson ranks #335 out of 400 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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. As a small community water system, Jefferson may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 11 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Jefferson's water
Every contaminant flagged in Jefferson, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 3.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 3.30 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over 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
03Jefferson'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 404 violations on record, including 33 health-based violations. 69 remain unresolved.
2 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 30 ppb since 1997. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▲ Up 1.6 mg/L since 1993. The latest reading (3.3 mg/L, 2022) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Jefferson's water comes from
Jefferson's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
3 systems
3 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,123 people
Residents served across Jefferson's service area.
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 2,123 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFERSON, TOWN OF | NC0105015 | 1,470 | Surface Water |
| JEFFERSON LANDING | NC0105108 | 653 | Groundwater |
| BUFFALO MEADOWS S/D | NC0105102 | 120 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Jefferson
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Jefferson's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Jefferson'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
2 facilities within 10 miles reported 5 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
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Ashe County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
Drought
Ashe 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 Jefferson compares
Scores for nearby North Carolina cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = North Carolina average (43/100)
Jefferson scores 45/100 — on par with 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 Jefferson's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Jefferson 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 Jefferson, NC tap water safe to drink?
Jefferson's water quality earned a grade of D (45/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #335 out of 400 cities tested in North Carolina.
What contaminants are in Jefferson's water?
Lead was measured at 3.0 ppb (90th percentile). 404 violations are on record.
How is Jefferson'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 Jefferson?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Jefferson's water come from?
Jefferson's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 2,123 residents.
What health violations has Jefferson's water system had?
Jefferson has 33 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 69 violations remain unresolved.
How does Jefferson's water compare to other cities?
Jefferson ranks #335 out of 400 cities in North Carolina (better than 16% of state cities) and #13980 out of 15382 cities nationally (9th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.