Is Oakboro, NC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 17 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
81.2/100
waterverge.com Oakboro, NC — Water Quality Report
Oakboro's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,173 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 128 violations on record, including 18 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved.
What to know about Oakboro's water
Oakboro ranks #133 out of 417 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Oakboro may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Oakboro, NC water safe to drink?
Oakboro's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,173 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Oakboro
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Oakboro's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.2/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3586). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3534). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Oakboro's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Oakboro's water system has 128 total violations on record, including 18 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Stanly County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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 Oakboro's water come from?
Oakboro's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,173 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Oakboro residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Oakboro'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.
Oakboro'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 Oakboro
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Oakboro, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 18 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MICHELIN AIRCRAFT TIRE CO MICHELIN NORTH DIV NORWOOD, NC28128 | Zinc compounds | 11 | 9.7 mi |
CHARLOTTE PIPE & FOUNDRY CO OAKBORO, NC28129 | Lead | 7 | 0.8 mi |
CONCRETE PIPE & PRECAST LLC-OAKBORO PLANT OAKBORO, NC28129 | — | — | 0.4 mi |
STANLY ENGINEERED FASTENING STANFIELD, NC28163 | — | — | 4.5 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D4 — exceptional droughtStanly County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 20.1% of the county is in D4 (exceptional) drought. 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
Stanly County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Oakboro compares by contaminant
Explore where Oakboro ranks among all North Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Oakboro's water comes from
Oakboro'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 3,173 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Oakboro
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAKBORO, TOWN OF | NC0184020 | 3,173 | SWP |
How Oakboro compares
Full North Carolina rankings →Oakboro's score of 81.2/100 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 →About Oakboro, NC
Wikipedia →Oakboro is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, Oakboro had a population of 2,128.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Oakboro's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Stanly
Frequently asked questions
Is Oakboro, NC tap water safe to drink?
Oakboro's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #133 out of 417 cities tested in North Carolina.
What contaminants are in Oakboro's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 128 violations are on record.
How is Oakboro'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 Oakboro?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Oakboro's water come from?
Oakboro's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,173 residents.
What health violations has Oakboro's water system had?
Oakboro has 18 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 17 violations remain unresolved.
How does Oakboro's water compare to other cities?
Oakboro ranks #133 out of 417 cities in North Carolina (better than 68% of state cities) and #7557 out of 15744 cities nationally (52th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Oakboro's small water system affect quality?
Oakboro's system serves approximately 3,173 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 128 violations on record.