Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic in North Carolina Drinking Water

Ranked by arsenic violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

234

Cities Tested

234

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

10.5 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

362

Health Violations

Analysis

Arsenic in North Carolina: what the data shows

North Carolina has 234 cities with arsenic-related violations on record. Arsenic contamination is a federal MCL violation at levels above 10 µg/L (10 ppb). The state has 234 cities with at least one arsenic violation. Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through erosion of natural deposits, particularly in western states with arsenite-bearing geology. Industrial sources include mining runoff, glass manufacturing, and semiconductor production. Groundwater systems are significantly more likely to have arsenic issues than surface water systems. Long-term arsenic exposure above the MCL increases the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Reverse osmosis and specialized arsenic-removal media are the most effective point-of-use treatment options.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 µg/L EPA MCL

North Carolina

100%

234 of 234 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

5489 of 5489 cities

City Map

Arsenic data across North Carolina

Each dot is a city with arsenic violation data. Cities with at least one arsenic-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by arsenic level in North Carolina

Highest Arsenic levels (violations)

All Cities

All North Carolina cities ranked by arsenic level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Gastonia	240 violations	Yes	102	F
2	Durham	114 violations	Yes	94	F
3	Concord	87 violations	Yes	37	F
4	Raleigh	85 violations	Yes	241	F
5	Mt Airy	80 violations	Yes	16	D
6	Garner	63 violations	Yes	89	F
7	Newton	58 violations	Yes	15	F
8	Statesville	57 violations	Yes	37	F
9	Hickory	56 violations	Yes	11	F
10	Conover	55 violations	Yes	6	F
11	Charlotte	46 violations	Yes	47	F
12	Knightdale	41 violations	Yes	208	D
13	Dallas	38 violations	Yes	34	F
14	Mooresville	34 violations	Yes	22	F
15	Salisbury	34 violations	Yes	27	F
16	Boone	34 violations	Yes	33	F
17	Stanley	34 violations	Yes	6	F
18	Greensboro	33 violations	Yes	29	F
19	Chapel Hill	32 violations	Yes	66	F
20	Harrisburg	30 violations	Yes	28	F
21	Zebulon	28 violations	Yes	35	D
22	Reidsville	24 violations	Yes	36	F
23	Newport	22 violations	Yes	31	F
24	Highlands	22 violations	Yes	25	F
25	Banner Elk	22 violations	Yes	101	D
26	Weaverville	21 violations	Yes	35	F
27	Archdale	21 violations	Yes	30	D+
28	Apex	18 violations	Yes	40	F
29	China Grove	17 violations	Yes	11	F
30	Cashiers	17 violations	Yes	74	F
31	Sherrills Ford	17 violations	Yes	3	C+
32	Fuquay-Varina	16 violations	Yes	34	F
33	Cullowhee	16 violations	Yes	13	D
34	Fayetteville	15 violations	Yes	392	F
35	Franklin	15 violations	Yes	14	F
36	Kernersville	14 violations	Yes	13	C-
37	Raeford	13 violations	Yes	16	F
38	Sanford	13 violations	Yes	31	F
39	Forest City	13 violations	Yes	1	B-
40	Belmont	13 violations	Yes	6	D+
41	Brevard	13 violations	Yes	26	F
42	Canton	13 violations	Yes	8	C+
43	Bryson City	13 violations	Yes	13	D+
44	Robbinsville	13 violations	Yes	7	C+
45	Randleman	12 violations	Yes	26	F
46	Willow Springs	12 violations	Yes	6	D
47	West Jefferson	12 violations	Yes	8	D+
48	Asheville	11 violations	Yes	12	F
49	Aberdeen	11 violations	Yes	54	F
50	Clayton	10 violations	Yes	50	D
51	Asheboro	10 violations	Yes	8	F
52	Henderson	10 violations	Yes	25	F
53	Lincolnton	10 violations	Yes	0	D+
54	Marion	10 violations	Yes	20	F
55	Elkin	10 violations	Yes	1	B+
56	Madison	10 violations	Yes	19	F
57	Middlesex	10 violations	Yes	12	F
58	Whitsett	10 violations	Yes	6	D+
59	Holly Springs	9 violations	Yes	8	C-
60	Black Mountain	9 violations	Yes	5	D+
61	Bessemer City	9 violations	Yes	17	D
62	Murphy	9 violations	Yes	6	D
63	Fletcher	9 violations	Yes	2	B-
64	Wilmington	8 violations	Yes	22	F
65	Hendersonville	8 violations	Yes	36	F
66	Gibsonville	8 violations	Yes	12	F
67	Spruce Pine	8 violations	Yes	3	B-
68	Maiden	8 violations	Yes	3	B
69	Hampstead	8 violations	Yes	24	C
70	Mars Hill	8 violations	Yes	19	B
71	Oak Ridge	8 violations	Yes	54	D
72	Linville	8 violations	Yes	11	F
73	Columbus	8 violations	Yes	2	D
74	Hayesville	8 violations	Yes	5	D
75	Mcadenville	8 violations	Yes	1	B-
76	Hot Springs	8 violations	Yes	3	C+
77	East Arcadia	8 violations	Yes	5	C
78	Greenville	7 violations	Yes	7	C-
79	Goldsboro	7 violations	Yes	11	F
80	Mocksville	7 violations	Yes	19	C
81	Elon	7 violations	Yes	7	D+
82	Carthage	7 violations	Yes	68	D+
83	Mount Airy	7 violations	Yes	0	B
84	Louisburg	7 violations	Yes	20	C-
85	Summerfield	7 violations	Yes	17	F
86	Dobson	7 violations	Yes	1	B
87	Blowing Rock	7 violations	Yes	7	C
88	Lenoir	7 violations	Yes	2	B-
89	Kannapolis	6 violations	Yes	16	C-
90	Waynesville	6 violations	Yes	5	C+
91	Morehead City	6 violations	Yes	17	C
92	Spring Lake	6 violations	Yes	25	D+
93	Longview	6 violations	Yes	0	A-
94	Kure Beach	6 violations	Yes	4	B+
95	Vass	6 violations	Yes	16	C
96	Stokesdale	6 violations	Yes	14	D
97	Mt Pleasant	6 violations	Yes	19	D
98	Saxapahaw	6 violations	Yes	7	C+
99	Cleveland	6 violations	Yes	2	D+
100	Nebo	6 violations	Yes	8	F
101	Climax	6 violations	Yes	1	C-
102	Pinehurst	5 violations	Yes	5	C-
103	Taylorsville	5 violations	Yes	7	B
104	Nashville	5 violations	Yes	36	F
105	Corolla	5 violations	Yes	7	B
106	Littleton	5 violations	Yes	17	F
107	Roaring Gap	5 violations	Yes	7	C+
108	Spring Hope	5 violations	Yes	3	C
109	Kittrell	5 violations	Yes	1	B-
110	Candor	5 violations	Yes	7	D
111	Maine (T)	5 violations	Yes	7	C
112	Franklinton	4 violations	Yes	40	F
113	Mt Gilead	4 violations	Yes	18	F
114	Windsor	4 violations	Yes	7	A-
115	Beaufort	4 violations	Yes	34	F
116	Oxford	4 violations	Yes	7	B-
117	Selma	4 violations	Yes	7	C-
118	Tryon	4 violations	Yes	3	B
119	Troy	4 violations	Yes	16	D+
120	Norwood	4 violations	Yes	32	D
121	Tabor City	4 violations	Yes	0	B
122	Burnsville	4 violations	Yes	5	B
123	Cameron	4 violations	Yes	1	D
124	Lake Lure	4 violations	Yes	17	F
125	Yanceyville	4 violations	Yes	33	D
126	Walnut Cove	4 violations	Yes	10	D
127	East Bend	4 violations	Yes	28	D+
128	Pink Hill	4 violations	Yes	4	B+
129	Rosman	4 violations	Yes	12	F
130	High Shoals	4 violations	Yes	8	A-
131	Bakersville	4 violations	Yes	3	B-
132	Stovall	4 violations	Yes	30	C
133	Burlington	3 violations	Yes	33	F
134	Denver	3 violations	Yes	10	C-
135	Smithfield	3 violations	Yes	9	C+
136	Hillsborough	3 violations	Yes	9	C-
137	White Lake	3 violations	Yes	1	B
138	Surf City	3 violations	Yes	22	C+
139	Jackson	3 violations	Yes	4	D
140	Andrews	3 violations	Yes	1	B
141	Robbins	3 violations	Yes	20	F
142	Marshall	3 violations	Yes	8	B
143	Weldon	3 violations	Yes	7	A-
144	Graham	3 violations	Yes	11	D
145	Brunswick	3 violations	Yes	1	B+
146	Micaville	3 violations	Yes	1	A-
147	Candler	3 violations	Yes	6	C+
148	Clemmons	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
149	Leland	2 violations	Yes	11	C
150	Lexington	2 violations	Yes	14	B-
151	Lillington	2 violations	Yes	4	B-
152	Wilson Mills	2 violations	Yes	3	B-
153	Granite Falls	2 violations	Yes	4	B+
154	Burgaw	2 violations	Yes	21	F
155	Thomasville	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
156	Laurinburg	2 violations	Yes	0	C
157	Hiddenite	2 violations	Yes	3	A-
158	Elizabethtown	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
159	Albemarle	2 violations	Yes	46	C-
160	Mt Holly	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
161	Butner	2 violations	Yes	25	B
162	Rutherfordton	2 violations	Yes	7	B-
163	Snow Hill	2 violations	Yes	2	C+
164	Whiteville	2 violations	Yes	2	C
165	N Wilkesboro	2 violations	Yes	4	B+
166	Kings Mountain	2 violations	Yes	5	B
167	Pittsboro	2 violations	Yes	110	F
168	Denton	2 violations	Yes	22	C-
169	Hamlet	2 violations	Yes	20	F
170	Winterville	2 violations	Yes	1	B-
171	Maggie Valley	2 violations	Yes	2	B-
172	Troutman	2 violations	Yes	3	B-
173	Siler City	2 violations	Yes	29	B
174	Wake Forest	2 violations	Yes	48	F
175	Cherryville	2 violations	Yes	7	C
176	Ahoskie	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
177	Wallace	2 violations	Yes	4	F
178	Emerald Isle	2 violations	Yes	7	B
179	Yadkinville	2 violations	Yes	2	B-
180	Columbia	2 violations	Yes	9	B
181	Bald Head Island	2 violations	Yes	3	B+
182	River Bend	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
183	Scotland Neck	2 violations	Yes	44	B-
184	Liberty	2 violations	Yes	11	C
185	Saint Pauls	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
186	Beech Mountain	2 violations	Yes	9	B+
187	Jonesville	2 violations	Yes	10	B+
188	Saluda	2 violations	Yes	0	B
189	Ramseur	2 violations	Yes	38	D+
190	Stedman	2 violations	Yes	2	B+
191	Foxfire Village	2 violations	Yes	29	C
192	Enfield	2 violations	Yes	45	B
193	Wendell	2 violations	Yes	70	D
194	Harrells	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
195	Stantonsburg	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
196	Faith	2 violations	Yes	1	C
197	Beulaville	2 violations	Yes	0	A
198	Garland	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
199	Maysville	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
200	Rich Square	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
201	Marble	2 violations	Yes	4	C+
202	Wagram	2 violations	Yes	4	C+
203	Bostic	2 violations	Yes	2	B+
204	Fontana	2 violations	Yes	3	A
205	Parkton	2 violations	Yes	0	B-
206	Pollocksville	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
207	Harrellsville	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
208	Bent Creek	2 violations	Yes	0	A
209	Huntersville	2 violations	Yes	1	A
210	Falcon	2 violations	Yes	0	B+
211	Micro	2 violations	Yes	15	F
212	Waxham	2 violations	Yes	2	A
213	Gibson	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
214	Whittier	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
215	Fleetwood	2 violations	Yes	1	B
216	Cary	1 violations	Yes	9	F
217	Jacksonville	1 violations	Yes	22	F
218	Morganton	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
219	Mebane	1 violations	Yes	10	B+
220	Eden	1 violations	Yes	10	C
221	Kenansville	1 violations	Yes	2	B
222	Havelock	1 violations	Yes	20	B+
223	Locust	1 violations	Yes	24	B
224	Efland	1 violations	Yes	10	F
225	Wadesboro	1 violations	Yes	24	B-
226	Nags Head	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
227	Pine Level	1 violations	Yes	8	D+
228	Jefferson	1 violations	Yes	33	D
229	Belhaven	1 violations	Yes	0	A
230	Black Creek	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
231	Old Fort	1 violations	Yes	2	C
232	Ogden	1 violations	Yes	0	A
233	Brown Summit	1 violations	Yes	0	B
234	Bailey	1 violations	Yes	1	C-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about arsenic in North Carolina

Is arsenic in North Carolina tap water a concern?

Yes — 234 cities in North Carolina have arsenic-related violations on record. The EPA MCL for arsenic is 10 µg/L. Even at levels below the MCL, long-term arsenic exposure has been linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

How can I remove arsenic from my drinking water in North Carolina?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing arsenic, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Specialized arsenic-removal media (such as iron-based adsorption filters) are also highly effective. Standard carbon filters and pitcher filters do NOT effectively remove arsenic. If your water comes from a private well, have it tested for arsenic.

Where does arsenic in North Carolina water come from?

Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through natural erosion of arsenic-bearing rock formations. It is most common in groundwater systems in the western United States, parts of the Midwest, and New England. Industrial sources include mining, smelting, and agricultural pesticide residues. Groundwater sources are far more likely to contain arsenic than surface water.

More contaminants