WaterVerge

Is Pikeville, NC Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

896 residents served 1 water system PWSID: NC0496030
Overall Score
89.8 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#18 of 417 in North Carolina Top 17% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
89.8/100
waterverge.com
A- 89.8/100

Pikeville, NC — Water Quality Report

Pikeville's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 896 residents using purchased ground 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 11 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Pikeville's water

Pikeville ranks #18 out of 417 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Pikeville purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.

As a small community water system, Pikeville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
89.8 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
42.8/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is Pikeville, NC water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Pikeville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (89.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 896 residents using groundwater (wells).

4
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Pikeville

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Pikeville's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.8/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE IAN

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3586). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Disaster
HURRICANE ISAIAS

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3534). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Pikeville's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Pikeville's water system has 11 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRRPTOther
Most recent violations:
Aug 2021 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jul 2021 Chlorine Resolved
May 2017 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open
Jul 2012 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2003 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Wayne 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.

HURRICANE IAN
Hurricane FEMA DR-3586
HURRICANE ISAIAS
Hurricane FEMA DR-3534
HURRICANE DORIAN
Hurricane FEMA DR-4465

Where does Pikeville's water come from?

Pikeville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 896 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Pikeville residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Pikeville's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Pikeville'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

11
Total violations
0
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Aug 2021
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

11 Total
4 Active
0 Health-based
7 Resolved
1 SNC
Violations by category
Nitrate Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Total Coliform Rule
2
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
May 2017 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2003 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Aug 2021 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2022
Jul 2021 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2021
Jul 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2003
Mar 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2000
Jan 1997 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1997
Jan 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1994 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1994
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Pikeville

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Pikeville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
AP EMISSIONS TECHNOLOGIES INC
Transportation Equipment · MARMON HOLDINGS
GOLDSBORO, NC27530
9.7 mi
SOUTHERN RM LLC - GOLDSBORO
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CONCRETE SUPPLY CO LLC
GOLDSBORO, NC27530
5.8 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Wayne 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
16.6%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Oct 2022
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Wayne 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.

Oct 2022
HURRICANE IAN
Hurricane FEMA #3586
Aug 2020
HURRICANE ISAIAS
Hurricane FEMA #3534
Oct 2019
HURRICANE DORIAN
Hurricane FEMA #4465
Sep 2019
HURRICANE DORIAN
Hurricane FEMA #3423
Sep 2018
HURRICANE FLORENCE
Hurricane FEMA #4393
Sep 2018
HURRICANE FLORENCE
Hurricane FEMA #3401

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 31.0 ppb from 1993 (31.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
896
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Pikeville's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

Pikeville purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.

Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Pikeville's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.

Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 896 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Pikeville

System Name PWSID Population Source
PIKEVILLE, TOWN OF NC0496030 896 GWP
Regional Comparison

How Pikeville compares

Full North Carolina rankings →

Pikeville's score of 89.8/100 is above the average of 43/100 among major North Carolina cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Pikeville (this city)
89.8
Charlotte
36.5
Raleigh
30.7
Durham
36.6
Greensboro
33.5
North Carolina avg
43
City Profile

About Pikeville, NC

Economic Profile
$65,417
Median Income
$903/mo
Median Rent
0%
Unemployment
Community
39
Median Age
347
People / sq mi
26.1%
College Educated
69.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Pikeville, NC tap water safe to drink?

Pikeville's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #18 out of 417 cities tested in North Carolina.

What contaminants are in Pikeville's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 11 violations are on record.

How is Pikeville'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 Pikeville?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Pikeville's water come from?

Pikeville's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 896 residents.

Is Pikeville's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Pikeville 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 11 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 Pikeville's water compare to other cities?

Pikeville ranks #18 out of 417 cities in North Carolina (better than 96% of state cities) and #2601 out of 15744 cities nationally (84th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Pikeville's small water system affect quality?

Pikeville's system serves approximately 896 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 11 violations on record.