North Carolina Water Quality Report
Tap water quality data for 20 cities in North Carolina, updated 2026.
US average: 100 ppm
1 of 20 cities violation-free
20 cities tested
20 water systems tracked
Cleanest Tap Water in North Carolina
Cities with the fewest water quality issues
Lillington
121K served
Clemmons
388K served
Lexington
173K served
Asheville
159K served
Charlotte
1.2M served
Goldsboro
112K served
Gastonia
108K served
Leland
188K served
Greenville
127K served
High Point
118K served
Most Water Quality Issues in North Carolina
Cities with the most violations and concerns
Raleigh
676K served
Durham
327K served
Jacksonville
211K served
Concord
127K served
Greensboro
323K served
Fayetteville
315K served
Apex
107K served
Wilmington
212K served
Monroe
206K served
Cary
227K served
Water Hardness Across North Carolina
Not sure what your hardness means? Use our Water Hardness Calculator or find the best hardness test kits.
North Carolina Tap Water: What You Need to Know
North Carolina has 20 tracked water utilities serving approximately 5.4M residents. The average water hardness is 58 ppm (3.4 GPG), classified as Soft — below the national average of 100 ppm. Hardness ranges from 13 ppm in Charlotte to 410 ppm in Greenville.
In the past 3 years, 19 of 20 cities in North Carolina have recorded water quality violations, totaling 1143 violations (106 health-based). All 20 tested cities have lead levels below the EPA action level of 15 ppb.
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Water
Is tap water safe to drink in North Carolina?
Most tap water in North Carolina meets EPA standards, but 19 cities have recorded violations in the past 3 years (106 health-based). We recommend checking your specific city's report on TapWater.org and considering a home water test.
How hard is the water in North Carolina?
North Carolina's average water hardness is 58 ppm (3.4 GPG), classified as Soft. This is below the national average of 100 ppm. Hardness varies significantly by city — use our Water Hardness Calculator to check your specific area.
Which city in North Carolina has the cleanest tap water?
Based on EPA violation data, lead testing, and water quality metrics, Lillington ranks as having the cleanest tap water in North Carolina. It has zero violations in the past 3 years and lead levels well below the EPA action level.
Which city in North Carolina has the most water quality issues?
Raleigh currently has the most water quality concerns in North Carolina, with 355 violations in the past 3 years. Residents should check their city's detailed water quality report and consider using a certified water filter.
Where does North Carolina get its water from?
The majority of North Carolina's water systems (25%) use surface water as their primary source. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Each city's specific source can vary — check individual city reports for details.
All 20 Cities
Sorted by population served
Charlotte
Utility serves 1.2M
Raleigh
Utility serves 676K
Clemmons
Utility serves 388K
Durham
Utility serves 327K
Greensboro
Utility serves 323K
Fayetteville
Utility serves 315K
Cary
Utility serves 227K
Wilmington
Utility serves 212K
Jacksonville
Utility serves 211K
Monroe
Utility serves 206K
Leland
Utility serves 188K
Lexington
Utility serves 173K
Asheville
Utility serves 159K
Concord
Utility serves 127K
Greenville
Utility serves 127K
Lillington
Utility serves 121K
High Point
Utility serves 118K
Goldsboro
Utility serves 112K
Gastonia
Utility serves 108K
Apex
Utility serves 107K