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North Carolina Water Quality Report

417 cities tested · Average grade: C+ · 9.5M people served

Cities Tested
417
Avg Score
68.6
Population Served
9.5M
Avg Grade
C+
Live Water Alerts for North Carolina →
Latest News

Latest water news in North Carolina

Recent reporting on North Carolina drinking water — boil-water advisories, regulatory action, and infrastructure events.

May 22, 2026

Camp Lejeune Update: $571M Paid, $795M in Offers — Resolution Still Under 1% of Claims

DOJ and Navy have paid $570.7M and offered $794.7M in Camp Lejeune settlements as of April 2026 — but just 2,686 of 407,000 claims have offers.

Read full story →
May 15, 2026

Charlotte's Stage 2 Water Restrictions Take Effect Today — First Mandatory Cuts Since 2009

Charlotte Water's Stage 2 mandatory restrictions take effect today, May 15 — first since 2009. Cascade extends across the Catawba-Wateree basin.

Read full story →
May 15, 2026

Concord and Kannapolis Impose Mandatory Level 2 Water Restrictions as Lake Fisher Drops

Concord and Kannapolis, NC imposed mandatory Level 2 water restrictions May 15, 2026 as Lake Fisher dropped and Cabarrus stayed in extreme drought.

Read full story →
Analysis

North Carolina water quality overview

North Carolina's drinking water quality is fair overall, with an average score of 68.6 out of 100 across 417 cities tested. The median score is 75.3, serving a total population of 9,530,099 residents. The state shows a mixed picture: 80 cities earned an A, while 67 cities received an F. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 135 of 417 cities tested (32%). 91 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. 7 cities have lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb, often indicating aging infrastructure with lead service lines or lead solder. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 176 cities use groundwater while 241 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in North Carolina

135 cities
PFAS Detected
32% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.
7 cities
Lead Exceedances
Lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 ppb (90th percentile).
362 cities
Health Violations
86,929 total violations recorded, 412 with unresolved issues.
67 cities
Failing Systems
Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.
Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in North Carolina

Lead in North Carolina → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in North Carolina → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in North Carolina → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in North Carolina

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → 1,4-Dioxane → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Cobalt → Lithium → NDMA → Perchlorate →
State context
38
Superfund sites in North Carolina
EPA National Priorities List
87.9%
of North Carolina residents on fluoridated water
CDC, 2020
8,151,230
lbs released to surface water
Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023
4.9%
of North Carolina domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit
USGS, 204 samples · 10 µg/L MCL
Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in North Carolina

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 1,300 private wells sampled across North Carolina. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

0.4 µg/L
Median arsenic in domestic wells
P90 4.0 µg/L · max 24.1 µg/L
40 µg/L
Median manganese in domestic wells
6.9% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit
Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in North Carolina

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in North Carolina, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 8,151,230 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)
SMITHFIELD FRESH MEATS CORP - TAR HEEL
Food · UNITED GLOBAL FOODS US HOLDINGS INC
TAR HEEL, NC28392
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)3,568,128
PERDUE FOODS LLC - LEWISTON PROCESSING PLANT
Food · PERDUE FARMS INC
LEWISTON WOODVILLE, NC27849
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)2,109,368
MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ MAIN FACILITY
Other · US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
CAMP LEJEUNE, NC28547
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)606,274
INTERNATIONAL PAPER RIEGELWOOD MILL
Paper · INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO
RIEGELWOOD, NC28456
Methanol495,769
INTERNATIONAL PAPER- NEW BERN MILL
Paper · INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO
VANCEBORO, NC28586
Methanol437,579

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your North Carolina water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.
Grade Distribution

How North Carolina cities scored

A: 80 B: 161 C: 65 D: 44 F: 67

Best Cities

  1. A+ Wilkesboro 99
  2. A+ Nags Head 96.4
  3. A+ Swanquarter 96.2

Worst Cities

  1. F Fayetteville 30.2
  2. F Raleigh 30.7
  3. F Franklin 31
City Map

Water quality across North Carolina

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

417 cities in North Carolina

Full rankings →
# City Grade Score Population Violations
1 Wilkesboro A+
99
4K 0
2 Nags Head A+
96.4
3K 13
3 Swanquarter A+
96.2
5K 68
4 Dunn A+
95
4K 1
5 Bent Creek A
94.3
800 10
6 Carrboro A
94.1
86K 2
7 Chinquapin A
93.8
5K 33
8 Edward A
93.5
9K 47
9 Beulaville A
92.2
1K 23
10 Shelby A
91.7
24K 16
11 Waxham A
91.7
625 52
12 Camden A
91.3
10K 50
13 Ocracoke A
91.2
900 6
14 Fontana A
91
950 44
15 Huntersville A
90.9
783 67
16 Ogden A
90.9
760 14
17 Belhaven A
90.7
2K 19
18 Pikeville A-
89.8
896 11
19 Rich Square A-
89.6
1K 28
20 Cherry Point A-
89.5
17K 8
21 Roxboro A-
89.5
11K 21
22 Farmville A-
89.5
9K 29
23 Haw River A-
89.5
3K 36
24 Stantonsburg A-
89.2
1K 94
25 Oriental A-
89.1
1K 11
26 Conway A-
89.1
887 15
27 Woodland A-
89.1
747 5
28 Micaville A-
89.1
650 29
29 Winton A-
89
9K 12
30 Buxton A-
89
5K 7
31 Cape Carteret A-
88.9
2K 19
32 Black Creek A-
88.8
2K 67
33 Clarkton A-
88.5
1K 22
34 Ferguson A-
88.5
685 5
35 Weldon A-
88.3
1K 82
36 Mt Holly A-
88.2
19K 49
37 Catawba A-
88.2
1K 7
38 Swepsonville A-
88.1
3K 25
39 Hildebran A-
88
8K 6
40 Glen Alpine A-
88
6K 3
41 Hiddenite A-
87.9
21K 24
42 Coats A-
87.8
3K 11
43 Salemburg A-
87.8
2K 13
44 Roseboro A-
87.7
1K 27
45 Longview A-
87.5
5K 83
46 Rose Hill A-
87.4
2K 96
47 East Spencer A-
87.4
2K 18
48 Kill Devil Hill A-
87.3
36K 11
49 Vanceboro A-
87.1
2K 7
50 Ahoskie A-
87
6K 62
51 Stoneville A-
87
2K 49
52 Lagrange A-
86.9
3K 24
53 Camp Lejeune A-
86.8
70K 30
54 Garland A-
86.8
1K 31
55 Harkers Island A-
86.7
3K 50
56 Elizabeth City A-
86.6
43K 10
57 Windsor A-
86.5
15K 63
58 Holden Beach A-
86.5
6K 7
59 Harrellsville A-
86.5
843 39
60 Peachland A-
86.4
770 29
61 Saint Pauls A-
86.3
3K 62
62 Rodanthe A-
86.3
2K 6
63 Ayden A-
86.2
6K 7
64 Newton Grove A-
86.2
913 24
65 Seymour Johnson A-
86.1
7K 13
66 Clemmons A-
86
388K 43
67 Bethel A-
86
2K 19
68 Hudson A-
85.8
24K 35
69 Greenevers A-
85.6
1K 75
70 Boiling Springs A-
85.5
5K 12
71 Broadway A-
85.5
2K 32
72 Polkton A-
85.5
905 42
73 High Shoals A-
85.4
729 60
74 Chocowinity A-
85.3
3K 37
75 Badin A-
85.3
2K 25
76 Grifton A-
85.2
3K 63
77 Conetoe A-
85.2
1K 64
78 Thomasville A-
85.1
27K 15
79 Gibson A-
85.1
589 47
80 Harrells A-
85
2K 32
81 Manteo B+
84.9
3K 34
82 York B+
84.9
1K 5
83 Clinton B+
84.7
23K 19
84 Richlands B+
84.5
3K 19
85 Drexel B+
84.4
3K 8
86 Falcon B+
84.4
714 35
87 Havelock B+
84.3
15K 66
88 Deep Run B+
84.2
14K 8
89 Washington B+
84
35K 12
90 Kure Beach B+
84
5K 87
91 Richfield B+
84
5K 12
92 Stedman B+
84
2K 50
93 Fair Bluff B+
84
800 51
94 Trenton B+
83.8
9K 11
95 Jamestown B+
83.8
7K 21
96 Hobgood B+
83.7
665 7
97 Valdese B+
83.5
14K 48
98 Ridgecrest B+
83.5
950 28
99 Rutherford Coll B+
83.3
2K 3
100 Atlantic Beach B+
83.2
6K 12
101 Claremont B+
83.1
3K 151
102 Bostic B+
83
953 31
103 Morganton B+
82.8
39K 24
104 Pollocksville B+
82.8
858 33
105 Elizabethtown B+
82.6
20K 83
106 Ocean Isle Beach B+
82.4
8K 50
107 Jonesville B+
82.4
2K 87
108 Pink Hill B+
82.4
950 73
109 New Bern B+
82.3
76K 51
110 Gatesville B+
82.3
12K 17
111 Benson B+
82.3
4K 19
112 Seaboard B+
82.3
881 25
113 Whitakers B+
82.3
869 45
114 Bald Head Island B+
82.1
3K 35
115 Pembroke B+
82
3K 30
116 Taylortown B+
82
904 58
117 Elkin B+
81.9
4K 139
118 Maysville B+
81.9
1K 40
119 Mebane B+
81.8
39K 34
120 Mount Olive B+
81.7
4K 7
121 Beech Mountain B+
81.7
2K 32
122 Sharpsburg B+
81.7
2K 74
123 Hays B+
81.6
8K 3
124 Maple B+
81.5
24K 12
125 Bridgeton B+
81.5
12K 9
126 Plymouth B+
81.5
3K 50
127 Mayodan B+
81.5
2K 19
128 Clyde B+
81.4
3K 8
129 Morven B+
81.4
512 23
130 N Wilkesboro B+
81.3
16K 79
131 Miller Creek B+
81.3
13K 5
132 Granite Falls B+
81.2
46K 52
133 Oakboro B+
81.2
3K 128
134 Grover B+
81.2
805 35
135 River Bend B+
81
3K 43
136 Brunswick B+
81
695 104
137 Whispering Pines B+
80.8
4K 10
138 Whittier B+
80.8
570 60
139 Aquadale B+
80.6
4K 48
140 New London B+
80.6
3K 51
141 Aurora B+
80.6
805 56
142 Murfreesboro B+
80.5
4K 24
143 Marshville B+
80.5
3K 54
144 Montreat B+
80.5
798 66
145 Eastover B+
80.3
8K 4
146 Moravian Falls B+
80.3
3K 11
147 Chadbourn B+
80.3
2K 19
148 King B+
80.2
23K 34
149 Green Level B+
80.2
2K 30
150 Red Springs B+
80.1
4K 29
151 Lake Junaluska B+
80.1
2K 19
152 Rowland B+
80.1
1K 32
153 Erwin B+
80
12K 5
154 Robersonville B+
80
1K 87
155 Enfield B
79.9
2K 79
156 Brown Summit B
79.8
686 68
157 Ronda B
79.7
938 19
158 Dublin B
79.7
603 17
159 Delco B
79.6
3K 20
160 Mount Airy B
79.1
11K 94
161 Columbia B
79.1
4K 142
162 Lake Waccamaw B
79.1
3K 24
163 Tryon B
78.9
6K 103
164 Fairmont B
78.9
3K 41
165 Oak Island B
78.8
27K 30
166 Maiden B
78.8
6K 99
167 Maple Hill B
78.7
1K 17
168 Linden B
78.6
2K 38
169 Saluda B
78.5
2K 65
170 Burnsville B
78.4
5K 113
171 Ranlo B
78.3
5K 34
172 Aulander B
78.3
2K 26
173 Teachey B
78.2
663 18
174 Lumberton B
78.1
24K 10
175 Siler City B
78.1
9K 56
176 Taylorsville B
78
17K 56
177 Pilot Mtn B
77.9
2K 58
178 Lucama B
77.9
881 35
179 Wade B
77.8
780 19
180 Corolla B
77.7
11K 234
181 Dobson B
77.7
3K 95
182 Locust B
77.6
10K 79
183 Tabor City B
77.6
5K 143
184 Dortches B
77.6
2K 7
185 Wrightsville Beach B
77.5
5K 18
186 Lowell B
77.5
4K 27
187 Four Oaks B
77.2
3K 39
188 Pinetops B
77.2
1K 19
189 White Lake B
76.8
10K 104
190 Sparta B
76.8
2K 248
191 Fleetwood B
76.8
519 26
192 Mars Hill B
76.7
5K 138
193 Warsaw B
76.6
3K 144
194 Star B
76.6
933 29
195 Butner B
76.5
19K 42
196 Bladenboro B
76.5
3K 20
197 Seagrove B
76.5
3K 37
198 Kenansville B
76.4
19K 205
199 Marshall B
76.4
1K 85
200 Warrenton B
76.3
12K 57
201 Kings Mountain B
76.1
15K 30
202 Fremont B
76.1
1K 29
203 Calypso B
75.9
660 46
204 Andrews B
75.8
3K 123
205 Emerald Isle B
75.7
5K 62
206 Roanoke Rapids B
75.4
36K 71
207 West Columbia B
75.4
700 49
208 Bolton B
75.4
668 64
209 Ansonville B
75.3
1K 75
210 Troutman B-
74.7
10K 147
211 Spruce Pine B-
74.5
6K 106
212 Wadesboro B-
74.5
6K 63
213 Biscoe B-
74.5
3K 19
214 Bellarthur B-
74.3
11K 38
215 Wingate B-
74.2
4K 77
216 Wilson Mills B-
74
92K 22
217 Angier B-
74
10K 16
218 Franklinville B-
74
1K 67
219 Lawndale B-
73.9
59K 305
220 Parkton B-
73.9
903 367
221 Monroe B-
73.8
211K 38
222 Lexington B-
73.7
173K 60
223 High Point B-
73.5
118K 15
224 Mcadenville B-
73.5
2K 139
225 Bayboro B-
73.2
20K 45
226 Faison B-
73.2
1K 36
227 Bakersville B-
73.1
725 129
228 Oxford B-
73
9K 87
229 Magnolia B-
73
980 20
230 Kittrell B-
72.9
1K 88
231 Rutherfordton B-
72.8
18K 98
232 Scotland Neck B-
72.5
3K 116
233 Winterville B-
72.4
10K 30
234 Maggie Valley B-
71.7
10K 67
235 Yadkinville B-
71.5
4K 57
236 Fletcher B-
70.8
846 204
237 Forest City B-
70.5
22K 141
238 Cherokee B-
70.5
19K 18
239 Lillington B-
70.3
121K 33
240 Lenoir B-
70.3
1K 149
241 Lake Gaston B-
70.1
4K 88
242 Roaring Gap C+
69.5
2K 137
243 Snow Hill C+
69.2
17K 112
244 Waynesville C+
68.9
25K 169
245 Roper C+
68.5
7K 99
246 Wentworth C+
68.1
2K 56
247 Stokes C+
67.9
4K 60
248 Garysburg C+
67.9
2K 58
249 Sherrills Ford C+
67.8
6K 230
250 Saxapahaw C+
67.7
1K 198
251 Boonville C+
67.5
2K 46
252 Rhodhiss C+
67.5
937 19
253 Newland C+
67.3
1K 48
254 Wagram C+
67.3
965 48
255 Marble C+
67.1
999 48
256 Hot Springs C+
67
946 197
257 Canton C+
66.9
8K 287
258 Robbinsville C+
66.8
3K 291
259 Surf City C+
66.6
10K 143
260 Candler C+
65.8
520 129
261 Norlina C+
65.3
1K 72
262 Wilson C+
65
60K 46
263 Smithfield C+
65
37K 70
264 East Arcadia C
64.9
633 137
265 Topsail Beach C
64.8
6K 96
266 Rockingham C
64.6
35K 55
267 Foxfire Village C
64.2
2K 170
268 Maine (T) C
63.6
642 115
269 Vass C
63.4
5K 158
270 Liberty C
63.4
3K 348
271 Gaston C
63.3
2K 55
272 Morehead City C
63.1
17K 146
273 Eden C
62.8
27K 59
274 Hampstead C
62.5
5K 192
275 Goldston C
62.5
1K 170
276 Kenly C
62.1
2K 65
277 Leland C
62
188K 70
278 Whiteville C
62
16K 144
279 Laurinburg C
61.7
23K 81
280 Faith C
61.4
1K 35
281 Cherryville C
61.1
6K 117
282 Rocky Mount C
60.8
56K 79
283 Mocksville C
60.7
38K 137
284 Old Fort C
60.6
2K 345
285 Stovall C
60.6
558 266
286 Spring Hope C
60.5
2K 187
287 Maxton C
60.4
68K 32
288 Denver C-
60
51K 83
289 Blowing Rock C
60
2K 394
290 Greenville C-
59.6
127K 262
291 Williamston C-
59.6
13K 78
292 Denton C-
59.2
11K 138
293 Kinston C-
59.1
43K 133
294 Louisburg C-
59.1
5K 285
295 Kannapolis C-
58.3
55K 245
296 Ellenboro C-
58
4K 60
297 Holly Springs C-
57
55K 215
298 Albemarle C-
56.9
19K 117
299 Climax C-
56.2
707 128
300 Selma C-
56.1
7K 110
301 Stanfield C-
56.1
1K 90
302 Sapphire C-
55.9
858 395
303 Pinehurst C-
55.5
31K 186
304 Hillsborough C-
55.4
14K 218
305 Bailey C-
55.4
662 170
306 Kernersville C-
55.2
3K 343
307 Pine Level D+
54.3
3K 172
308 Bryson City D+
53.8
5K 201
309 Black Mountain D+
53.7
12K 179
310 East Bend D+
53.7
2K 257
311 Belmont D+
53.5
19K 179
312 Edenton D+
53.2
17K 79
313 Troy D+
53.2
5K 85
314 Lincolnton D+
53.1
17K 185
315 Pinebluff D+
52.8
26K 221
316 Spring Lake D+
52.7
13K 239
317 West Jefferson D+
52.3
2K 432
318 Cleveland D+
52.3
1K 227
319 Elon D+
51.4
14K 223
320 Archdale D+
51.3
13K 338
321 Ramseur D+
50.6
2K 142
322 Hertford D+
50.2
15K 73
323 Carthage D+
50.2
13K 188
324 Whitsett D+
50
669 786
325 Hayesville D
49.2
3K 287
326 Norwood D
48.7
5K 86
327 Lilesville D
48
15K 224
328 Murphy D
48
5K 335
329 Stokesdale D
47.5
4K 705
330 Clayton D
47
52K 295
331 Carolina Beach D
47
7K 279
332 Wendell D
47
2K 465
333 Bessemer City D
46.5
6K 129
334 Knightdale D
46
10K 1330
335 Banner Elk D
46
9K 976
336 Jackson D
46
6K 135
337 Cameron D
46
4K 555
338 Oak Ridge D
46
4K 913
339 Willow Springs D
46
4K 335
340 Mt Airy D
46
4K 1458
341 Columbus D
46
3K 277
342 Zebulon D
46
2K 531
343 Elm City D
46
1K 107
344 Candor D
46
967 91
345 Mt Pleasant D
45.9
2K 115
346 Yanceyville D
45.2
2K 167
347 Cullowhee D
45
17K 443
348 Jefferson D
45
2K 404
349 Walnut Cove D
45
2K 760
350 Graham D
45
898 454
351 Linville F
44.9
4K 333
352 Ellerbe F
44.9
2K 45
353 Beaufort F
44.4
9K 211
354 Efland F
44.3
9K 123
355 Gibsonville F
44
10K 524
356 Micro F
44
657 276
357 Tarboro F
43.8
27K 97
358 Conover F
43.6
17K 770
359 Asheville F
43.4
160K 456
360 China Grove F
43.3
12K 404
361 Hickory F
43.2
80K 770
362 Newport F
43.2
26K 347
363 Salisbury F
43.1
48K 957
364 Garner F
43
15K 2185
365 Cashiers F
43
9K 1166
366 Wake Forest F
43
8K 377
367 Stanley F
43
7K 479
368 Wallace F
43
6K 168
369 Chapel Hill F
43
4K 1604
370 Summerfield F
43
3K 509
371 Middlesex F
43
2K 478
372 Nebo F
43
1K 309
373 Gastonia F
42.6
108K 4271
374 Mt Gilead F
42.5
16K 95
375 Newton F
42.3
21K 1141
376 Brevard F
42.2
17K 968
377 Franklinton F
42
29K 257
378 Madison F
42
4K 248
379 Robbins F
42
2K 114
380 Goldsboro F
41
112K 309
381 Marion F
41
12K 577
382 Littleton F
41
3K 312
383 Rosman F
41
785 180
384 Weaverville F
40.5
19K 517
385 Burgaw F
40.4
36K 87
386 Hamlet F
40.1
11K 44
387 Harrisburg F
39.9
23K 713
388 Lake Lure F
39
4K 488
389 Reidsville F
38.9
16K 802
390 Apex F
38.5
107K 569
391 Boone F
38.5
36K 654
392 Highlands F
38.5
9K 733
393 Jacksonville F
38.3
212K 552
394 Concord F
38.2
127K 1431
395 Princeton F
38.2
1K 61
396 Hendersonville F
38
82K 577
397 Pittsboro F
38
12K 245
398 Raeford F
37.5
59K 907
399 Nashville F
36.8
15K 1044
400 Durham F
36.6
331K 3916
401 Charlotte F
36.5
1.2M 1663
402 Henderson F
36.4
18K 317
403 Mooresville F
36.2
65K 890
404 Asheboro F
36.1
28K 629
405 Cary F
34.6
234K 93
406 Randleman F
34.5
5K 280
407 Aberdeen F
34.2
13K 1385
408 Wilmington F
34
212K 241
409 Statesville F
33.9
61K 936
410 Greensboro F
33.5
323K 1676
411 Dallas F
33.5
10K 782
412 Fuquay-Varina F
33.1
47K 607
413 Burlington F
33
63K 641
414 Sanford F
33
54K 537
415 Franklin F
31
11K 462
416 Raleigh F
30.7
676K 3207
417 Fayetteville F
30.2
315K 802
Counties

Browse North Carolina counties

Alamance 8 cities · avg 67.1 Alexander 2 cities · avg 83 Alleghany 2 cities · avg 73.2 Anson 6 cities · avg 75.2 Ashe 3 cities · avg 58 Avery 3 cities · avg 52.7 Beaufort 5 cities · avg 86.8 Bertie 2 cities · avg 82.4 Bladen 6 cities · avg 78.2 Broome 1 city · avg 63.6 Brunswick 5 cities · avg 78.4 Buncombe 7 cities · avg 66 Burke 6 cities · avg 85 Cabarrus 3 cities · avg 41.3 Caldwell 4 cities · avg 76.2 Camden 1 city · avg 91.3 Carteret 7 cities · avg 69.3 Caswell 1 city · avg 45.2 Catawba 8 cities · avg 66.8 Chatham 3 cities · avg 59.5 Cherokee 3 cities · avg 63.6 Chowan 1 city · avg 53.2 Clay 1 city · avg 49.2 Cleveland 5 cities · avg 81.7 Columbus 8 cities · avg 77.4 Craven 6 cities · avg 84.3 Cumberland 7 cities · avg 69.7 Currituck 2 cities · avg 79.6 Dare 5 cities · avg 88.8 Davidson 3 cities · avg 72.7 Davie 1 city · avg 60.7 Duplin 11 cities · avg 77.8 Durham 1 city · avg 36.6 Edgecombe 4 cities · avg 72.1 Forsyth 2 cities · avg 70.6 Franklin 2 cities · avg 50.5 Gaston 11 cities · avg 62.1 Gates 1 city · avg 82.3 Graham 2 cities · avg 78.9 Granville 3 cities · avg 70 Greene 1 city · avg 69.2 Guilford 9 cities · avg 55.7 Halifax 6 cities · avg 73.5 Harnett 5 cities · avg 71.6 Haywood 5 cities · avg 73.8 Henderson 2 cities · avg 54.4 Hertford 4 cities · avg 85.8 Hoke 1 city · avg 37.5 Hyde 2 cities · avg 93.7 Iredell 3 cities · avg 48.3 Jackson 2 cities · avg 44 Johnston 11 cities · avg 58.7 Jones 3 cities · avg 82.8 Lee 2 cities · avg 59.3 Lenoir 4 cities · avg 78.2 Lexington 1 city · avg 75.4 Lincoln 2 cities · avg 56.5 Macon 2 cities · avg 34.8 Madison 3 cities · avg 73.4 Martin 2 cities · avg 69.8 Mcdowell 3 cities · avg 48.2 Mecklenburg 2 cities · avg 63.7 Mitchell 2 cities · avg 73.8 Montgomery 6 cities · avg 62.2 Moore 9 cities · avg 58.3 Nash 7 cities · avg 59.4 New Hanover 5 cities · avg 66.7 Northampton 8 cities · avg 74.7 Onslow 3 cities · avg 69.9 Orange 4 cities · avg 59.2 Pamlico 2 cities · avg 81.2 Pasquotank 1 city · avg 86.6 Pender 5 cities · avg 62.6 Perquimans 1 city · avg 50.2 Person 1 city · avg 89.5 Pitt 8 cities · avg 77.6 Polk 3 cities · avg 67.8 Randolph 8 cities · avg 55.3 Richmond 3 cities · avg 49.9 Robeson 8 cities · avg 77.5 Rockingham 6 cities · avg 63.4 Rowan 6 cities · avg 57.6 Rutherford 5 cities · avg 64.7 Sampson 7 cities · avg 87.6 Scotland 3 cities · avg 71.4 Stanly 8 cities · avg 71.3 Stokes 2 cities · avg 62.6 Surry 5 cities · avg 72.5 Swain 2 cities · avg 67.3 Transylvania 3 cities · avg 46.4 Tyrrell 1 city · avg 79.1 Union 4 cities · avg 80 Vance 2 cities · avg 54.7 Wake 10 cities · avg 41.9 Warren 2 cities · avg 70.8 Washington 2 cities · avg 75 Watauga 3 cities · avg 60.1 Wayne 5 cities · avg 74.9 Wilkes 7 cities · avg 84.5 Wilson 5 cities · avg 73.4 Yadkin 4 cities · avg 68.8 Yancey 2 cities · avg 83.8 York 1 city · avg 84.9
ZIP Codes

Browse North Carolina by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about North Carolina's water

Is North Carolina's tap water safe to drink?

North Carolina's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is C+ (68.6/100). 58% of cities scored an A or B, while 27% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which North Carolina cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Wilkesboro (A+), Nags Head (A+), Swanquarter (A+). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which North Carolina cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Fayetteville (F), Raleigh (F), Franklin (F). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many North Carolina cities have PFAS in their water?

135 out of 417 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (32%). 91 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Do any North Carolina cities have dangerous lead levels?

7 cities exceed the EPA lead action level of 15 ppb. Lead contamination typically comes from aging pipes and lead service lines rather than the water source itself. An NSF 53-certified filter can effectively remove lead from tap water.

Water quality resources

Guide
How to Read Your Water Quality Report
Read guide →
Guide
Lead in Drinking Water
Read guide →
Guide
PFAS Forever Chemicals Explained
Read guide →
News
Latest Water Quality News
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