Copper Contamination

Copper in North Carolina Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

127

Cities Tested

127

Exceeds Limit

100%

% Exceeds Limit

2.276 mg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

362

Health Violations

Analysis

Copper in North Carolina: what the data shows

North Carolina has 127 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 2.276 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 127 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level

North Carolina

100%

127 of 127 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

3953 of 3953 cities

City Map

Copper data across North Carolina

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by copper level in North Carolina

Highest Copper levels (mg/L)

All Cities

All North Carolina cities ranked by copper level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Warrenton	16.100 mg/L	Yes	5	B
2	Bryson City	9.860 mg/L	Yes	13	D+
3	Dallas	7.600 mg/L	Yes	34	F
4	Saluda	5.560 mg/L	Yes	0	B
5	Spring Hope	4.940 mg/L	Yes	3	C
6	Kannapolis	4.890 mg/L	Yes	16	C-
7	High Point	4.600 mg/L	Yes	2	B-
8	Raeford	4.021 mg/L	Yes	16	F
9	Cary	3.950 mg/L	Yes	9	F
10	Linden	3.760 mg/L	Yes	2	B
11	Pinehurst	3.490 mg/L	Yes	5	C-
12	Lenoir	3.442 mg/L	Yes	2	B-
13	Kernersville	3.300 mg/L	Yes	13	C-
14	Jefferson	3.300 mg/L	Yes	33	D
15	Garner	3.170 mg/L	Yes	89	F
16	Maxton	3.029 mg/L	Yes	12	C
17	Taylortown	3.000 mg/L	Yes	7	B+
18	Teachey	2.929 mg/L	Yes	1	B
19	Emerald Isle	2.912 mg/L	Yes	7	B
20	Highlands	2.910 mg/L	Yes	25	F
21	Fayetteville	2.900 mg/L	Yes	392	F
22	Charlotte	2.800 mg/L	Yes	47	F
23	Hot Springs	2.780 mg/L	Yes	3	C+
24	Saxapahaw	2.700 mg/L	Yes	7	C+
25	Newland	2.700 mg/L	Yes	4	C+
26	Aberdeen	2.659 mg/L	Yes	54	F
27	Statesville	2.629 mg/L	Yes	37	F
28	Nebo	2.610 mg/L	Yes	8	F
29	Forest City	2.600 mg/L	Yes	1	B-
30	Mount Airy	2.600 mg/L	Yes	0	B
31	Gaston	2.470 mg/L	Yes	21	C
32	Summerfield	2.440 mg/L	Yes	17	F
33	Yanceyville	2.400 mg/L	Yes	33	D
34	Brevard	2.300 mg/L	Yes	26	F
35	Atlantic Beach	2.270 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
36	Jacksonville	2.261 mg/L	Yes	22	F
37	Ramseur	2.110 mg/L	Yes	38	D+
38	Hickory	2.100 mg/L	Yes	11	F
39	Weaverville	2.093 mg/L	Yes	35	F
40	Lincolnton	2.074 mg/L	Yes	0	D+
41	Mcadenville	2.070 mg/L	Yes	1	B-
42	Mt Airy	2.069 mg/L	Yes	16	D
43	Randleman	2.060 mg/L	Yes	26	F
44	Sparta	2.050 mg/L	Yes	2	B
45	Spruce Pine	2.032 mg/L	Yes	3	B-
46	Salisbury	2.024 mg/L	Yes	27	F
47	Newport	2.000 mg/L	Yes	31	F
48	Old Fort	2.000 mg/L	Yes	2	C
49	Belmont	1.947 mg/L	Yes	6	D+
50	Cashiers	1.930 mg/L	Yes	74	F
51	Hendersonville	1.900 mg/L	Yes	36	F
52	Newton	1.900 mg/L	Yes	15	F
53	Linville	1.900 mg/L	Yes	11	F
54	Black Mountain	1.825 mg/L	Yes	5	D+
55	Micro	1.820 mg/L	Yes	15	F
56	Micaville	1.820 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
57	Boone	1.800 mg/L	Yes	33	F
58	Sherrills Ford	1.800 mg/L	Yes	3	C+
59	Burnsville	1.800 mg/L	Yes	5	B
60	Bald Head Island	1.800 mg/L	Yes	3	B+
61	Garysburg	1.800 mg/L	Yes	11	C+
62	Marshall	1.800 mg/L	Yes	8	B
63	Climax	1.800 mg/L	Yes	1	C-
64	Maple	1.797 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
65	Stanley	1.770 mg/L	Yes	6	F
66	Elon	1.750 mg/L	Yes	7	D+
67	Burlington	1.749 mg/L	Yes	33	F
68	Sanford	1.740 mg/L	Yes	31	F
69	Conover	1.740 mg/L	Yes	6	F
70	Lake Lure	1.720 mg/L	Yes	17	F
71	Faith	1.710 mg/L	Yes	1	C
72	Wagram	1.699 mg/L	Yes	4	C+
73	Nashville	1.696 mg/L	Yes	36	F
74	Durham	1.694 mg/L	Yes	94	F
75	Zebulon	1.690 mg/L	Yes	35	D
76	Robbins	1.678 mg/L	Yes	20	F
77	Pittsboro	1.660 mg/L	Yes	110	F
78	Greensboro	1.630 mg/L	Yes	29	F
79	Morehead City	1.630 mg/L	Yes	17	C
80	Knightdale	1.630 mg/L	Yes	208	D
81	Stovall	1.630 mg/L	Yes	30	C
82	Wadesboro	1.614 mg/L	Yes	24	B-
83	Franklinton	1.600 mg/L	Yes	40	F
84	Pinebluff	1.600 mg/L	Yes	32	D+
85	Candler	1.600 mg/L	Yes	6	C+
86	Carolina Beach	1.580 mg/L	Yes	5	D
87	Blowing Rock	1.580 mg/L	Yes	7	C
88	Topsail Beach	1.570 mg/L	Yes	9	C
89	Wrightsville Beach	1.570 mg/L	Yes	6	B
90	Ellenboro	1.570 mg/L	Yes	5	C-
91	Henderson	1.560 mg/L	Yes	25	F
92	Wilmington	1.559 mg/L	Yes	22	F
93	Seaboard	1.557 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
94	Willow Springs	1.555 mg/L	Yes	6	D
95	Taylorsville	1.550 mg/L	Yes	7	B
96	Rosman	1.538 mg/L	Yes	12	F
97	Concord	1.500 mg/L	Yes	37	F
98	Banner Elk	1.500 mg/L	Yes	101	D
99	Mars Hill	1.500 mg/L	Yes	19	B
100	Oak Ridge	1.500 mg/L	Yes	54	D
101	River Bend	1.500 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
102	Hayesville	1.500 mg/L	Yes	5	D
103	Montreat	1.500 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
104	Marion	1.496 mg/L	Yes	20	F
105	Hampstead	1.490 mg/L	Yes	24	C
106	Robbinsville	1.480 mg/L	Yes	7	C+
107	Beaufort	1.476 mg/L	Yes	34	F
108	Liberty	1.460 mg/L	Yes	11	C
109	Middlesex	1.460 mg/L	Yes	12	F
110	Roaring Gap	1.450 mg/L	Yes	7	C+
111	Fletcher	1.440 mg/L	Yes	2	B-
112	Surf City	1.423 mg/L	Yes	22	C+
113	China Grove	1.420 mg/L	Yes	11	F
114	West Jefferson	1.420 mg/L	Yes	8	D+
115	Grover	1.412 mg/L	Yes	15	B+
116	Wake Forest	1.410 mg/L	Yes	48	F
117	Raleigh	1.400 mg/L	Yes	241	F
118	Gastonia	1.400 mg/L	Yes	102	F
119	Mooresville	1.400 mg/L	Yes	22	F
120	Asheboro	1.400 mg/L	Yes	8	F
121	Reidsville	1.400 mg/L	Yes	36	F
122	Chapel Hill	1.400 mg/L	Yes	66	F
123	Madison	1.400 mg/L	Yes	19	F
124	Columbus	1.400 mg/L	Yes	2	D
125	Cherokee	1.391 mg/L	Yes	6	B-
126	Fuquay-Varina	1.390 mg/L	Yes	34	F
127	Maiden	1.360 mg/L	Yes	3	B

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about copper in North Carolina

Is copper in North Carolina drinking water safe?

127 cities in North Carolina exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 2.276 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.

What causes high copper levels in North Carolina tap water?

Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.

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