WaterVerge

Is Vass, NC Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded C, with 48 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

5K residents served 5 water systems PWSID: NC0363114
Overall Score
63.4 / 100
Violations
48 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#269 of 417 in North Carolina Top 75% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
CGRADE
Water Quality Grade
63.4/100
waterverge.com
C 63.4/100

Vass, NC — Water Quality Report

Vass's drinking water received a grade of C (63.4 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 4,824 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 158 violations on record, including 16 health-based violations. 48 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Vass's water

Vass ranks #269 out of 417 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it below average 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.

The system has seen 11 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
63.4 out of 100 Grade C
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
17.4/45
F
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
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Vass, NC water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Vass's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C (63.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 4,824 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

48
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Vass

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Vass's water quality assessment. Grade: C (63.4/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chlorine.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE IAN

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

Disaster
HURRICANE ISAIAS

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

Key contaminant findings

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

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Vass's water system has 158 total violations on record, including 16 health-based violations. 48 remain unresolved. 11 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MONMRTTRPTOtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Nov 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Nov 2024 Chlorine Resolved
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Jul 2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Wake County has experienced 7 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. Local water sources include Bond Lake, Coles Branch Reservoir, Hatchers Grove Reservoir, Page Lake, Sorrells Grove Reservoir.

HURRICANE IAN
Hurricane FEMA DR-3586
HURRICANE ISAIAS
Hurricane FEMA DR-3534
HURRICANE DORIAN
Hurricane FEMA DR-3423

Where does Vass's water come from?

Vass's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 5 water systems serving approximately 4,824 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Bond Lake (lake), Coles Branch Reservoir (lake), Hatchers Grove Reservoir (lake), Page Lake (lake), Sorrells Grove Reservoir (lake).

What Vass residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Vass'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

158
Total violations
16
Health-based
48
Active / unresolved
Nov 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

158 Total
48 Active
16 Health-based
110 Resolved
6 SNC
Violations by category
Inorganic Chemicals
37
Consumer Confidence Rule
19
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
19
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
14
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
14
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Apr 2017 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jun 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2015 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2011 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jun 2010 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 158 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Vass

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
INGERSOLL RAND
Machinery · INGERSOLL-RAND CO
SOUTHERN PINES, NC28387
9.7 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Moore County is currently in D3 (extreme 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)
29.1%
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

7
Declared disasters
Oct 2022
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Wake County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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
Sep 2019
HURRICANE DORIAN
Hurricane FEMA #3423
Sep 2018
HURRICANE FLORENCE
Hurricane FEMA #3401
Oct 2016
HURRICANE MATTHEW
Hurricane FEMA #4285
Oct 2016
HURRICANE MATTHEW
Hurricane FEMA #3380

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 48.0 ppb from 1994 (48.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Private
Population Served
4,824
Water Systems
5
Water Source

Where Vass's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Vass'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 private ownership and serves approximately 4,824 people through 5 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Vass

Vass is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Bond Lake
lake
Coles Branch Reservoir
lake
Hatchers Grove Reservoir
lake
Page Lake
lake
Sorrells Grove Reservoir
lake
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Vass

System Name PWSID Population Source
WOODLAKE WATER & SEWER INC NC0363114 2,287 SWP
MOORE CO PUBLIC UTIL-VASS NC0363045 1,862 SWP
MOORE CO PUBLIC UTIL-HYLAND SD NC0363103 340 SWP
SKYLINE ESTATES MH S/D NC0363138 170 SWP
MOORE CO PUBLIC UTIL-HIDDEN LAKES S/D NC5063024 165 SWP
Regional Comparison

Vass's score of 63.4/100 is above the average of 43/100 among major North Carolina cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Vass (this city)
63.4
Charlotte
36.5
Raleigh
30.7
Durham
36.6
Greensboro
33.5
North Carolina avg
43
City Profile

About Vass, NC

Wikipedia →

Cary is a town in Wake, Chatham, and Durham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is part of the Raleigh-Cary, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2020 census, its population was 174,721, making it the seventh-most populous municipality in North Carolina, and the 146th-most populous in the United States. In 2023, the town's population had increased to 180,010.

Economic Profile
$59,375
Median Income
$231,733
Median Home Value
$780/mo
Median Rent
2.3%
Unemployment
Community
29
Median Age
147
People / sq mi
24.1%
College Educated
71.4%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Vass, NC tap water safe to drink?

Vass's water quality earned a grade of C (63.4/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #269 out of 417 cities tested in North Carolina.

What contaminants are in Vass's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 158 violations are on record.

How is Vass'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 Vass?

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

Where does Vass's water come from?

Vass's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 5 water systems serving approximately 4,824 residents.

What health violations has Vass's water system had?

Vass has 16 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 48 violations remain unresolved.

How does Vass's water compare to other cities?

Vass ranks #269 out of 417 cities in North Carolina (better than 35% of state cities) and #11758 out of 15744 cities nationally (25th percentile). The grade of C reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.