Strontium Contamination

Strontium in North Carolina Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

113

Cities Tested

Over HRL

% Over HRL

149.4 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 5% vs national

vs National

345

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in North Carolina: what the data shows

North Carolina has 113 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 1 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 149.4 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

North Carolina

1 of 113 cities

← ▼ 5% below national rate (better)

National avg

247 of 4292 cities

City Map

Strontium data across North Carolina

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in North Carolina

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All North Carolina cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Raleigh	2700.0 µg/L	Over HRL	241	F
2	Harrisburg	920.0 µg/L	No	28	F
3	Statesville	820.0 µg/L	No	37	F
4	Bayboro	650.0 µg/L	No	14	B-
5	Carolina Beach	640.0 µg/L	No	5	D
6	Pinehurst	510.0 µg/L	No	5	C-
7	Elizabeth City	460.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
8	Oak Island	404.0 µg/L	No	1	B
9	Windsor	370.0 µg/L	No	7	A-
10	Harkers Island	340.0 µg/L	No	5	A-
11	Edenton	320.0 µg/L	No	31	D+
12	Goldsboro	300.0 µg/L	No	11	F
13	Leland	292.0 µg/L	No	11	C
14	Cherry Point	292.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
15	Camp Lejeune	253.0 µg/L	No	10	A-
16	Elizabethtown	240.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
17	Kannapolis	235.0 µg/L	No	16	C-
18	Kenansville	216.5 µg/L	No	2	B
19	Fayetteville	210.0 µg/L	No	392	F
20	Maxton	199.0 µg/L	No	12	C
21	Nashville	190.0 µg/L	No	36	F
22	Raeford	170.0 µg/L	No	16	F
23	Kinston	170.0 µg/L	No	4	C-
24	Lexington	170.0 µg/L	No	14	B-
25	Deep Run	170.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
26	Kill Devil Hill	168.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
27	Newport	167.0 µg/L	No	31	F
28	Thomasville	160.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
29	Greenville	140.0 µg/L	No	7	C-
30	Morehead City	140.0 µg/L	No	17	C
31	Havelock	138.0 µg/L	No	20	B+
32	Concord	137.0 µg/L	No	37	F
33	Greensboro	130.0 µg/L	No	29	F
34	Monroe	130.0 µg/L	No	10	B-
35	Rocky Mount	126.0 µg/L	No	17	C
36	Jacksonville	123.2 µg/L	No	22	F
37	Highlands	120.0 µg/L	No	25	F
38	Clinton	113.7 µg/L	No	3	B+
39	High Point	110.0 µg/L	No	2	B-
40	Washington	109.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
41	Apex	97.0 µg/L	No	40	F
42	Lumberton	91.5 µg/L	No	2	B
43	Burlington	91.0 µg/L	No	33	F
44	Roanoke Rapids	85.0 µg/L	No	17	B
45	New Bern	84.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
46	Mebane	81.0 µg/L	No	10	B+
47	Erwin	79.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
48	Clemmons	77.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
49	Sanford	76.2 µg/L	No	31	F
50	Smithfield	75.8 µg/L	No	9	C+
51	Carrboro	75.0 µg/L	No	0	A
52	Fuquay-Varina	75.0 µg/L	No	34	F
53	Holly Springs	74.0 µg/L	No	8	C-
54	Eden	73.5 µg/L	No	10	C
55	Hillsborough	73.0 µg/L	No	9	C-
56	Warrenton	73.0 µg/L	No	5	B
57	Lilesville	72.8 µg/L	No	16	D
58	Henderson	71.0 µg/L	No	25	F
59	Rockingham	68.7 µg/L	No	15	C
60	Cary	68.0 µg/L	No	9	F
61	Clayton	68.0 µg/L	No	50	D
62	Tarboro	66.3 µg/L	No	49	F
63	Lillington	66.0 µg/L	No	4	B-
64	Mt Gilead	63.5 µg/L	No	18	F
65	Asheboro	63.0 µg/L	No	8	F
66	Wilson Mills	60.5 µg/L	No	3	B-
67	Mount Airy	59.0 µg/L	No	0	B
68	Maple	58.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
69	Wilson	57.0 µg/L	No	7	C+
70	Albemarle	57.0 µg/L	No	46	C-
71	Durham	56.0 µg/L	No	94	F
72	Elkin	55.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
73	Wilmington	54.0 µg/L	No	22	F
74	Bellarthur	54.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
75	Burgaw	52.4 µg/L	No	21	F
76	Salisbury	52.2 µg/L	No	27	F
77	Reidsville	48.7 µg/L	No	36	F
78	King	47.9 µg/L	No	12	B+
79	Roxboro	46.8 µg/L	No	9	A-
80	Boone	44.0 µg/L	No	33	F
81	Mooresville	43.0 µg/L	No	22	F
82	Miller Creek	40.2 µg/L	No	1	B+
83	N Wilkesboro	40.2 µg/L	No	4	B+
84	Mocksville	40.0 µg/L	No	19	C
85	Mayodan	40.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
86	Gastonia	37.0 µg/L	No	102	F
87	Hudson	36.4 µg/L	No	2	A-
88	Denver	36.3 µg/L	No	10	C-
89	Forest City	36.0 µg/L	No	1	B-
90	Charlotte	35.8 µg/L	No	47	F
91	Butner	35.4 µg/L	No	25	B
92	Longview	33.5 µg/L	No	0	A-
93	Lincolnton	33.1 µg/L	No	0	D+
94	Shelby	32.7 µg/L	No	2	A
95	Taylorsville	32.2 µg/L	No	7	B
96	Morganton	32.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
97	Granite Falls	31.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
98	Conover	31.0 µg/L	No	6	F
99	Hiddenite	29.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
100	Kings Mountain	29.0 µg/L	No	5	B
101	Hickory	28.9 µg/L	No	11	F
102	Valdese	28.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
103	Rutherfordton	28.0 µg/L	No	7	B-
104	Newton	27.0 µg/L	No	15	F
105	Lawndale	21.4 µg/L	No	1	B-
106	Laurinburg	17.8 µg/L	No	0	C
107	Pinebluff	16.9 µg/L	No	32	D+
108	Asheville	16.0 µg/L	No	12	F
109	Waynesville	14.4 µg/L	No	5	C+
110	Blowing Rock	13.0 µg/L	No	7	C
111	Hamlet	11.0 µg/L	No	20	F
112	Hendersonville	9.4 µg/L	No	36	F
113	Winton	5.7 µg/L	No	4	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in North Carolina

Is strontium in North Carolina tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. 1 cities in North Carolina exceed this HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

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