HAA5 Contamination

HAA5 in North Carolina Drinking Water

Ranked by average HAA5 concentration (µg/L) · UCMR 4 data (2018–2020) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

119

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

25.7 µg/L

State Avg

▲ 1% vs national

vs National

362

Health Violations

Analysis

HAA5 in North Carolina: what the data shows

North Carolina has 119 cities with HAA5 monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 4 program (2018–2020). Haloacetic acids (HAA5) form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with natural organic matter in water. The state average is 25.7 µg/L — worse than the 15.5 µg/L national average. 2 cities exceed the EPA MCL of 60 µg/L. HAA5 is a group of five chlorinated and brominated acetic acids. Long-term exposure above the MCL is associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive outcomes. The EPA classifies total HAA5 as a probable human carcinogen at elevated concentrations. Activated carbon filtration (especially granular or block carbon) is effective at reducing HAA5. Running water through a refrigerator filter or letting it sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes also helps, as some HAA5 species are volatile. Boiling does not remove disinfection byproducts and may concentrate them.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 60 µg/L EPA MCL

North Carolina

2 of 119 cities

→ ▲ 1% above national rate (worse)

National avg

23 of 4420 cities

City Map

HAA5 data across North Carolina

Each dot is a city with UCMR 4 HAA5 testing data. Cities where average HAA5 exceeded the 60 µg/L EPA MCL are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by haa5 level in North Carolina

Highest HAA5 levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All North Carolina cities ranked by haa5 level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Rockingham	69.0 µg/L	Yes	15	C
2	Pinebluff	62.7 µg/L	Yes	32	D+
3	Lilesville	57.2 µg/L	No	16	D
4	Greensboro	55.5 µg/L	No	29	F
5	Polkton	55.4 µg/L	No	0	A-
6	Cherry Point	53.8 µg/L	No	3	A-
7	Concord	53.2 µg/L	No	37	F
8	Mt Pleasant	52.1 µg/L	No	19	D
9	Asheboro	48.6 µg/L	No	8	F
10	Warrenton	46.9 µg/L	No	5	B
11	Louisburg	46.5 µg/L	No	20	C-
12	Sanford	46.1 µg/L	No	31	F
13	Richfield	45.4 µg/L	No	3	B+
14	King	44.7 µg/L	No	12	B+
15	Albemarle	43.3 µg/L	No	46	C-
16	Kannapolis	41.4 µg/L	No	16	C-
17	Burlington	40.8 µg/L	No	33	F
18	Mt Gilead	40.7 µg/L	No	18	F
19	Denver	39.6 µg/L	No	10	C-
20	Elon	38.3 µg/L	No	7	D+
21	Hillsborough	37.4 µg/L	No	9	C-
22	Efland	37.3 µg/L	No	10	F
23	Asheville	37.2 µg/L	No	12	F
24	Henderson	35.1 µg/L	No	25	F
25	Boone	34.6 µg/L	No	33	F
26	Harrisburg	34.4 µg/L	No	28	F
27	Mocksville	34.0 µg/L	No	19	C
28	High Point	34.0 µg/L	No	2	B-
29	Lincolnton	33.9 µg/L	No	0	D+
30	Mount Airy	33.9 µg/L	No	0	B
31	Gastonia	33.3 µg/L	No	102	F
32	Lexington	32.8 µg/L	No	14	B-
33	Hiddenite	32.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
34	Lawndale	31.9 µg/L	No	1	B-
35	Hudson	31.3 µg/L	No	2	A-
36	Hendersonville	31.2 µg/L	No	36	F
37	Salisbury	31.0 µg/L	No	27	F
38	Reidsville	30.4 µg/L	No	36	F
39	Bayboro	30.4 µg/L	No	14	B-
40	Granite Falls	30.4 µg/L	No	4	B+
41	Morganton	29.3 µg/L	No	2	B+
42	Mooresville	29.2 µg/L	No	22	F
43	Taylorsville	29.1 µg/L	No	7	B
44	Valdese	29.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
45	Tarboro	28.8 µg/L	No	49	F
46	Wilson	28.5 µg/L	No	7	C+
47	Kings Mountain	28.4 µg/L	No	5	B
48	Durham	28.0 µg/L	No	94	F
49	Roxboro	28.0 µg/L	No	9	A-
50	Thomasville	27.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
51	Clemmons	26.8 µg/L	No	0	A-
52	Mt Holly	25.9 µg/L	No	1	A-
53	Havelock	25.7 µg/L	No	20	B+
54	Greenville	25.4 µg/L	No	7	C-
55	Hickory	25.1 µg/L	No	11	F
56	Smithfield	25.1 µg/L	No	9	C+
57	Roanoke Rapids	25.0 µg/L	No	17	B
58	Monroe	25.0 µg/L	No	10	B-
59	Erwin	24.8 µg/L	No	0	B+
60	Clayton	24.6 µg/L	No	50	D
61	Butner	24.1 µg/L	No	25	B
62	Miller Creek	23.8 µg/L	No	1	B+
63	Mebane	23.5 µg/L	No	10	B+
64	Leland	23.5 µg/L	No	11	C
65	Newton	23.3 µg/L	No	15	F
66	Rocky Mount	23.3 µg/L	No	17	C
67	Lumberton	23.1 µg/L	No	2	B
68	Statesville	23.1 µg/L	No	37	F
69	Rutherfordton	23.0 µg/L	No	7	B-
70	Spring Lake	22.7 µg/L	No	25	D+
71	Eden	22.7 µg/L	No	10	C
72	Conover	22.5 µg/L	No	6	F
73	Goldsboro	21.8 µg/L	No	11	F
74	Waynesville	21.3 µg/L	No	5	C+
75	Wilson Mills	21.3 µg/L	No	3	B-
76	Kinston	20.9 µg/L	No	4	C-
77	Fayetteville	20.7 µg/L	No	392	F
78	Newport	20.1 µg/L	No	31	F
79	Camp Lejeune	19.7 µg/L	No	10	A-
80	Belmont	19.4 µg/L	No	6	D+
81	Bellarthur	19.2 µg/L	No	3	B-
82	Holly Springs	19.0 µg/L	No	8	C-
83	Elizabeth City	18.8 µg/L	No	2	A-
84	Jacksonville	18.5 µg/L	No	22	F
85	Deep Run	18.4 µg/L	No	0	B+
86	Shelby	18.4 µg/L	No	2	A
87	Forest City	17.9 µg/L	No	1	B-
88	Charlotte	17.7 µg/L	No	47	F
89	Pinehurst	17.7 µg/L	No	5	C-
90	Fuquay-Varina	17.5 µg/L	No	34	F
91	Edenton	17.5 µg/L	No	31	D+
92	Oak Island	17.4 µg/L	No	1	B
93	Carolina Beach	17.3 µg/L	No	5	D
94	Apex	17.0 µg/L	No	40	F
95	Wilmington	16.0 µg/L	No	22	F
96	Lillington	15.6 µg/L	No	4	B-
97	Cary	15.4 µg/L	No	9	F
98	Raleigh	13.5 µg/L	No	241	F
99	Kenansville	13.2 µg/L	No	2	B
100	Burgaw	12.6 µg/L	No	21	F
101	Archdale	12.4 µg/L	No	30	D+
102	Rose Hill	11.5 µg/L	No	0	A-
103	Carrboro	10.4 µg/L	No	0	A
104	Washington	8.7 µg/L	No	2	B+
105	New Bern	7.9 µg/L	No	4	B+
106	Gatesville	7.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
107	Elizabethtown	5.5 µg/L	No	1	B+
108	Kill Devil Hill	4.6 µg/L	No	1	A-
109	Maxton	4.5 µg/L	No	12	C
110	Maple	3.1 µg/L	No	4	B+
111	Clinton	2.9 µg/L	No	3	B+
112	Raeford	2.5 µg/L	No	16	F
113	Laurinburg	2.5 µg/L	No	0	C
114	Winton	2.4 µg/L	No	4	A-
115	Windsor	1.3 µg/L	No	7	A-
116	Murfreesboro	1.1 µg/L	No	4	B+
117	Conetoe	0.4 µg/L	No	0	A-
118	Bakersville	0.1 µg/L	No	3	B-
119	Highlands	0.0 µg/L	No	25	F

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about haa5 in North Carolina

What is HAA5 and why does it appear in North Carolina tap water?

HAA5 (haloacetic acids) are disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. They are a normal byproduct of the disinfection process that makes water safe to drink. 2 cities in North Carolina exceed the EPA MCL of 60 µg/L. The state average is 25.7 µg/L.

How can I reduce HAA5 exposure from North Carolina drinking water?

Activated carbon filters (granular or block) effectively reduce HAA5. Refrigerator filters and under-sink carbon systems are convenient options. Unlike lead or PFAS, HAA5 levels can also be reduced by letting water stand in an open container, as some species evaporate. Boiling does NOT remove HAA5 and can concentrate them by reducing water volume.

Which North Carolina cities have the highest HAA5 levels?

The cities with the highest average HAA5 concentrations in North Carolina are: Rockingham (69.0 µg/L), Pinebluff (62.7 µg/L), Lilesville (57.2 µg/L), Greensboro (55.5 µg/L), Polkton (55.4 µg/L). Note: this data is from UCMR 4 testing (2018–2020) and may not reflect current levels.

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