Is Rose Hill, NC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A- — but Manganese was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
87.4/100
waterverge.com Rose Hill, NC — Water Quality Report
Rose Hill's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,867 residents using groundwater.
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 96 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
What to know about Rose Hill's water
Rose Hill ranks #46 out of 417 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Rose Hill 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.
As a small community water system, Rose Hill may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Rose Hill, NC water safe to drink?
Rose Hill's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,867 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Rose Hill
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Rose Hill's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87.4/100).
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
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.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Rose Hill's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Rose Hill's water system has 96 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Duplin 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 Rose Hill's water come from?
Rose Hill's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,867 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Rose Hill residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Rose Hill'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.
Rose Hill'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 Rose Hill
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Rose Hill, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
HOUSE OF RAEFORD FARMS INC ROSE HILL, NC28458 | — | — | 2.3 mi |
MURPHY-BROWN LLC ROSEMARY FEED MILL ROSE HILL, NC28458 | — | — | 1.3 mi |
MURPHY-BROWN LLC CHIEF FEED MILL ROSE HILL, NC28458 | — | — | 0.9 mi |
DARLING INGREDIENTS INC-ROSE HILL FACILITY ROSE HILL, NC28458 | — | — | 1.0 mi |
NASH JOHNSON & SONS FARMS INC ROSE HILL FEED MILL ROSE HILL, NC28458 | — | — | 2.1 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtDuplin 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
Duplin 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 0.0 ppb (2025)
EPA action level: 15 ppb
See how Rose Hill compares by contaminant
Explore where Rose Hill ranks among all North Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Rose Hill's water comes from
Rose Hill'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 1,867 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Rose Hill
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROSE HILL, TOWN OF | NC0431025 | 1,867 | GW |
How Rose Hill compares
Full North Carolina rankings →Rose Hill's score of 87.4/100 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 Rose Hill, NC
Wikipedia →Rose Hill is a town in Duplin County, North Carolina, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,371. Rose Hill claims to be the home of the world's largest frying pan.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Rose Hill's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Duplin
Frequently asked questions
Is Rose Hill, NC tap water safe to drink?
Rose Hill's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #46 out of 417 cities tested in North Carolina.
What contaminants are in Rose Hill's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 96 violations are on record.
How is Rose Hill'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 Rose Hill?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Rose Hill's water come from?
Rose Hill's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,867 residents.
Is Rose Hill's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Rose Hill 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 96 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 Rose Hill's water compare to other cities?
Rose Hill ranks #46 out of 417 cities in North Carolina (better than 89% of state cities) and #4076 out of 15744 cities nationally (74th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Rose Hill's small water system affect quality?
Rose Hill's system serves approximately 1,867 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 96 violations on record.