waterbycounty

North Carolina Water Quality

Drinking water data for all 100 counties.

Avg Water Score

53.0

State Grade

D

Counties with Data

100

of 100 total

All North Carolina Counties

CountyWater Score
Alexander County86.0
Alleghany County86.0
Camden County86.0
Dare County86.0
Davidson County86.0
Forsyth County86.0
Gates County86.0
Graham County86.0
Hyde County86.0
Lenoir County86.0
Pasquotank County86.0
Person County86.0
Yancey County86.0
Mecklenburg County71.9
Durham County71.5
Brunswick County71.3
Union County70.1
Harnett County69.3
New Hanover County69.3
Craven County67.1
Cumberland County66.6
Orange County66.6
Currituck County66.4
Sampson County66.2
Guilford County66.0
Lincoln County66.0
Granville County65.0
Iredell County64.6
Beaufort County64.2
Wayne County64.2
Catawba County63.8
Pamlico County62.8
Hoke County62.2
Pitt County62.0
Bertie County61.0
Cleveland County58.5
Caldwell County57.7
Surry County57.5
Halifax County56.6
Alamance County56.0
Burke County56.0
Onslow County55.7
Wake County55.7
Hertford County55.6
Carteret County55.1
Wilkes County54.4
Stokes County53.9
Chowan County53.7
Lee County52.8
Madison County52.0
Rutherford County51.8
Henderson County51.5
Duplin County51.2
Chatham County51.0
Buncombe County50.9
Mitchell County50.9
Haywood County50.2
Polk County48.6
Columbus County48.1
Swain County47.9
Scotland County47.5
Cherokee County47.4
Robeson County47.3
Perquimans County47.2
Greene County46.2
Nash County44.7
Tyrrell County44.5
Rowan County44.1
Martin County43.8
Jones County42.6
Washington County42.6
Franklin County42.1
Gaston County42.0
Anson County41.5
Bladen County40.8
Cabarrus County40.2
Northampton County39.4
Wilson County38.9
Johnston County38.2
Randolph County38.0
Clay County37.4
Davie County36.4
Transylvania County36.3
Stanly County33.2
Yadkin County32.9
Avery County31.5
Watauga County30.2
Jackson County29.4
Rockingham County27.6
Moore County27.5
Ashe County26.9
Vance County26.7
Macon County26.2
Edgecombe County26.1
McDowell County24.3
Richmond County22.1
Warren County21.7
Pender County19.8
Montgomery County11.5
Caswell County6.2

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which county in North Carolina has the best water quality?
Alexander County has the highest water quality score in North Carolina at 86.0/100 (Grade: A), based on EPA SDWIS data.
Which county in North Carolina has the most water violations?
Caswell County has among the lowest water quality scores in North Carolina at 6.2/100. See the individual county page for detailed violation history.
Is the tap water safe to drink in North Carolina?
North Carolina has an average water quality score of 53.0/100 based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance data. Individual county scores vary — check your specific county's page for detailed information.
What contaminants are found in North Carolina water supplies?
Drinking water quality varies by county and water system. The EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) tracks violations for contaminants like lead, nitrates, bacteria, and disinfection byproducts. See individual county pages for specific contaminant and violation history.

Data Source

Water quality data sourced from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) via the ECHO enforcement database. Scores reflect compliance history and health-based violation counts.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not health, legal, or professional advice. For concerns about your specific water supply, contact your local water utility.

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