WaterVerge

Is Whitsett, NC Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D+, with 113 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

669 residents served 3 water systems PWSID: NC0241216
Overall Score
50 / 100
Violations
113 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#324 of 417 in North Carolina Top 84% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
D+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
50/100
waterverge.com
D+ 50/100

Whitsett, NC — Water Quality Report

Whitsett's drinking water received a grade of D+ (50 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 669 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 786 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 113 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Whitsett's water

Whitsett ranks #324 out of 417 cities in North Carolina for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

Whitsett 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, Whitsett may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 26 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
50 out of 100 Grade D+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
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
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Whitsett, NC water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Whitsett's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (50/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 669 residents using groundwater (wells).

113
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Whitsett

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Whitsett's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (50/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

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

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 Whitsett's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Whitsett's water system has 786 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 113 remain unresolved. 26 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherRPTTTMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Sep 2025 Public Notice Open
Aug 2025 Public Notice Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open

Flood & environmental risk

Randolph County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 2004. 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 Deep River.

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

Where does Whitsett's water come from?

Whitsett's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 669 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Deep River (river).

What Whitsett residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Whitsett'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

786
Total violations
6
Health-based
113
Active / unresolved
Sep 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

786 Total
113 Active
6 Health-based
673 Resolved
12 SNC
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
315
Inorganic Chemicals
122
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
114
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
50
Nitrate Rule
45
Sep 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
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
Sep 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jun 2024 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Sep 2021 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 786 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Whitsett

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 0 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
ADAMS AN OLDCASTLE CO-GREENSBORO
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CRH AMERICAS INC
GREENSBORO, NC27405
Lead07.9 mi
HYDRO EXTRUSION USA LLC
Primary Metals · HYDRO EXTRUSION USA LLC
BURLINGTON, NC27215
Lead07.2 mi
BURLINGTON FINISHING PLANT
Textiles · ELEVATE TEXTILES INC
BURLINGTON, NC27217
8.4 mi
APOLLO CHEMICAL
Chemicals · MOUNT VERNON MILLS INC
BURLINGTON, NC27215
5.1 mi
HUFFMAN OIL CO INC
Petroleum Bulk Terminals · NA
BURLINGTON, NC27217
8.6 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Guilford 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)
20.8%
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

9
Declared disasters
Oct 2022
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Randolph County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 2004. 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
Jan 2019
TROPICAL STORM MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA #4412
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 0.0 ppb from 2007 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
669
Water Systems
3
Source breakdown
Groundwater
2
Purchased Surface Water
1
Water Source

Where Whitsett's water comes from

Groundwater

Whitsett'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 private ownership and serves approximately 669 people through 3 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Whitsett

Whitsett is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Deep River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Whitsett

System Name PWSID Population Source
ROCK CREEK MH VILLAGE NO 2 NC0241216 305 GW
ROCK CREEK MH VILLAGE NC0241139 275 GW
TOWN OF WHITSETT NC3041089 89 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Whitsett compares

Full North Carolina rankings →

Whitsett's score of 50/100 is above the average of 43/100 among major North Carolina cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Whitsett (this city)
50
Charlotte
36.5
Raleigh
30.7
Durham
36.6
Greensboro
33.5
North Carolina avg
43
City Profile

About Whitsett, NC

Wikipedia →

Franklinville is a town in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, Franklinville had a population of 1,197.

Economic Profile
$68,393
Median Income
$172,833
Median Home Value
$1,292/mo
Median Rent
6.6%
Unemployment
Community
57.6
Median Age
87
People / sq mi
23.4%
College Educated
83.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Whitsett, NC tap water safe to drink?

Whitsett's water quality earned a grade of D+ (50/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #324 out of 417 cities tested in North Carolina.

What contaminants are in Whitsett's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 786 violations are on record.

How is Whitsett'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 Whitsett?

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

Where does Whitsett's water come from?

Whitsett's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 669 residents.

What health violations has Whitsett's water system had?

Whitsett has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 113 violations remain unresolved.

Is Whitsett's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Whitsett 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 786 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 Whitsett's water compare to other cities?

Whitsett ranks #324 out of 417 cities in North Carolina (better than 22% of state cities) and #13182 out of 15744 cities nationally (16th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.