Raleigh Drinking Water Quality
What's Really in Your Tap Water?
Raleigh tap water has contaminants that exceed current EPA standards. At just 20 ppm (1.2 gpg), the water is pleasantly soft. Lead levels test well below the EPA action level. PFAS "forever chemicals" exceed EPA limits — the EPA recommends certified filtration. There have been 355 violations recorded over the past 3 years.
Action Needed
Quality issues detected
1.2 GPG hardness
Lead
Below EPA action level
EPA action level: 15 ppb
Hardness
Soft water
US Average: 100 ppm
Is Raleigh Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Raleigh tap water has contaminants that exceed current EPA maximum contaminant levels.
10 contaminants were tested in Raleigh's water. 9 were detected, and 1 exceeds EPA maximum contaminant levels.
PFAS "Forever Chemicals" — PFOS at 5.45 ppt (EPA limit: 4 ppt) — exceeds the EPA maximum contaminant level. 3 other PFAS compounds were also detected within limits.
A man-made "forever chemical" formerly used in Scotchgard, firefighting foam, and industrial processes. According to the EPA, associated with increased cholesterol, thyroid disease, immune system suppression, and certain cancers.
→ A reverse osmosis (RO) or NSF-certified activated carbon filter can reduce PFOS by 90% or more.
EPA Violations — 53 health-based EPA violations in the past 3 years across 93 water systems. Plus 302 monitoring/reporting violations.
Health-based violations mean the water exceeded a federal maximum contaminant level. This is more serious than administrative violations.
→ Consider testing your water at home and using a certified water filter until violations are resolved.
Disinfection Byproducts — 2 contaminants detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 29.7 ppb (50% of EPA limit).
Inorganic Chemicals — 1 contaminant detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Fluoride at 0.57 ppm (14% of EPA limit).
Lead — Lead (0.03 ppb) is well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb.
The data below shows test results from 93 water utilities serving 676K people in the Raleigh area.
Based on publicly available data from Raleigh Water 2024 CCR – Water Characteristics table: E.M. Johnson avg 24.6 ppm (range 20.1–30.1), Dempsey E. Benton avg 24.3 ppm (range 20.6–30.1) (2024). Water quality can vary by location, building plumbing, and over time. This assessment reflects compliance with federal EPA standards and is not medical advice.
Do I Need a Water Filter?
Raleigh has PFAS levels exceeding EPA maximum contaminant levels. The EPA suggests that NSF-certified reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can reduce PFAS levels.
How Raleigh Compares
Compared to 51 major US cities based on 2024 Consumer Confidence Report data
Lead (90th percentile)
National avg: 2.85 ppb
0 ppb
100% below average
Water Hardness
National avg: 127.2 ppm
24.5 ppm
81% softer than average
PFAS Contamination
Detected in 33% of major US cities
Exceeds EPA limit
20% of cities exceed EPA limit
How Hard is Raleigh Water?
20 ppm
1.2 grains per gallon
Soft water requires no treatment and is gentle on skin and appliances.
Impact on Your Home
Shower
Great for skin & hair
Kitchen
No water spots
Laundry
Clothes stay soft
Appliances
No scale buildup
Regional Comparison
Values in ppm (mg/L as CaCO₃)
Want to verify your home's exact hardness level? See our best water hardness test kits.
Range: 20.1–30.1 ppm
Based on 41 samples from Raleigh Water 2024 CCR – Water Characteristics table: E.M. Johnson avg 24.6 ppm (range 20.1–30.1), Dempsey E. Benton avg 24.3 ppm (range 20.6–30.1) (2024)
Your pipes tell a different story
The data above shows what leaves the treatment plant—not what comes out of your faucet. Old pipes, lead solder, and building plumbing can add contaminants the city never tests for. Know exactly what's in your Raleigh tap water.
Home test kits detect lead, bacteria, pesticides, and 100+ other contaminants. Results in 5-10 business days from certified labs.
Lead & Contaminants
Understanding lead levels and water quality violations in Raleigh
Lead Test Results
90th Percentile Lead Level
0.03 ppb
Raleigh lead levels are well below the EPA action level.
Regular testing is still recommended, as lead can enter water through household plumbing.
Last sampled: 2027-12-31
About Lead in Drinking Water
What is Lead in Water?
According to the EPA, lead is a toxic metal that can dissolve into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. It's invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making testing the only way to detect it. The EPA has set an action level of 15 ppb and states there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Potential Health Effects
According to the CDC: developmental delays, learning difficulties, lower IQ, behavioral issues
According to the EPA: high blood pressure, kidney damage, reproductive issues
How to Reduce Exposure
- •Run water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning
- •Use cold water for cooking and drinking (hot water dissolves more lead)
- •Install a NSF-certified filter designed to remove lead
- •Test your water, especially if your home was built before 1986
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
1 PFAS chemical exceeds EPA maximum contaminant levels
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment. The EPA suggests that certified reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can reduce PFAS levels.
Simazine
3% of EPA limit
Range: 0–0.1 ppb
Other Detected Contaminants
10 contaminants detected
| Contaminant | Your Water | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
36 ppb Range: 7.6-36.3 Highest LRAA 36.0 ppb (monitoring location B12). Range across all sites/quarters 7.60–36.3 ppb. MCL 80 ppb. Dual disinfection: chlorine + chloramines. | 80 ppb | Safe 45% of limit | |
29.7 ppb Range: 4.72-25.7 Highest LRAA 29.7 ppb (monitoring location B11). Range 4.72–25.7 ppb. MCL 60 ppb. | 60 ppb | Safe 50% of limit | |
0 ppt Range: 0-0 ND – UCMR5 (0/8 samples). Note: CCR reports historical range up to 4 ppt; treatment adjusted to reliably meet new MCLs. | 4 ppt 0 | Safe | |
5.45 ppt Range: 0-5.6 UCMR5: avg 5.45 ppt, max 5.6 ppt (2/8 samples detected). Exceeds EPA MCL of 4 ppt; compliance required by April 2029. Raleigh Water has adjusted treatment processes. Source: Cape Fear River basin upstream contamination. | 4 ppt 0 | Exceeds 136% of limit | |
PFBA | 7.37 ppt Range: 0-9 UCMR5: avg 7.37 ppt, max 9.0 ppt (3/8 samples). Perfluorobutanoic acid – no federal MCL established. | N/A | Safe |
PFBS | 3.15 ppt Range: 0-3.3 UCMR5: avg 3.15 ppt, max 3.3 ppt (4/8 samples). Part of EPA hazard index calculation. CCR-reported hazard index 0.0017 (well below limit of 1.0). | N/A | Safe |
PFHxA | 3.75 ppt Range: 0-4.2 UCMR5: avg 3.75 ppt, max 4.2 ppt (2/8 samples). Perfluorohexanoic acid – no individual federal MCL. | N/A | Safe |
PFPeA | 3.8 ppt Range: 0-4.3 UCMR5: avg 3.8 ppt, max 4.3 ppt (2/8 samples). Perfluoropentanoic acid – no federal MCL established. | N/A | Safe |
0.57 ppm Range: 0.57-0.57 0.57 ppm at Dempsey E. Benton plant entry point. MCL 4.0 ppm. Likely added (naturally soft source water); E.M. Johnson value not listed in CCR. | 4 ppm | Safe 14% of limit | |
Simazine | 0.1 ppb Range: 0-0.1 Max 0.10 ppb at E.M. Johnson plant (2.5% of MCL 4 ppb). Herbicide runoff from Falls Lake watershed. ND at Dempsey E. Benton. | 4 ppb | Safe 3% of limit |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA legal limit)
EPA Compliance History
Action Recommended
Active health-based violations detectedConsider using a certified water filter until violations are resolved. Contact your utility for updates on corrective actions.
3-Year Violation Summary
355
Total Violations
53
Health-Related
302
Administrative
Health-Related Violations
Contaminant exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels. The EPA recommends considering certified filtration.
Administrative Violations
Missed testing deadlines or reporting. Does not indicate water quality issues.
Who Provides Raleigh's Water?
Utility Name
RALEIGH, CITY OF
EPA System ID (PWSID)
NC0392010
Primary Water Source
Groundwater
Population Served
676K
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Raleigh tap water quality
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
Charlotte
Soft water
Clemmons
Soft water
Durham
Soft water
Greensboro
Soft water
Fayetteville
Soft water
Cary
Soft water
This data is for informational purposes only. Water quality can vary by neighborhood and building. For official reports, contact your local water utility or the EPA. Learn about our methodology
Data source: Raleigh Water 2024 CCR – Water Characteristics table: E.M. Johnson avg 24.6 ppm (range 20.1–30.1), Dempsey E. Benton avg 24.3 ppm (range 20.6–30.1) (2024) • View report