CHARLOTTE, North Carolina Tap Water Quality

1,253,056 people served · 137 water systems

Failing

Satellite view of CHARLOTTE, North Carolina

Satellite imagery via Esri World Imagery — approximate city center, not a facility address.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina is a major metropolitan area with 1,253,056 residents served by 137 distinct public water systems. Water service covers ZIP codes 28209, 28210, 28211, 28216, 28222, 28224, and 5 more.

CHARLOTTE has accumulated a significant number of EPA health-based violations. Reviewing the contaminants involved, requesting your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and using certified point-of-use filtration is strongly advisable.

EPA reporting identifies Nitrate, Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Uranium, and Arsenic among the regulated contaminants associated with CHARLOTTE's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

CHARLOTTE's 175 violations is above the North Carolina average of 4.8 per city — worth reviewing the contaminant breakdown below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

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Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

28209 28210 28211 28216 28222 28224 28226 28227 28269 28277 28278

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving CHARLOTTE. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)disinfectant

EPA Code 2950 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.08 mg/L

Last Reading

.084 MG/L

First Reported

Jan 2021

Most Recent

Jan 2025

What this violation means

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter — leaves, soil, algae — in source water. They are among the most commonly reported violations because utilities pulling from surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) struggle to balance disinfection with byproduct formation. Long-term exposure has been linked to bladder cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Recommended precautions

→Activated carbon filters (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) effectively reduce TTHMs.
→Letting water sit uncovered allows TTHMs to off-gas — leave a pitcher in the fridge for several hours.
→Shower with the bathroom fan on; TTHMs can volatilize into the air during hot showers.
→Boiling reduces TTHMs through volatilization, but only after extended boiling.

Read the complete guide to Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)disinfectant

EPA Code 2456 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.06 mg/L

Last Reading

.063 MG/L

First Reported

Jan 2021

Most Recent

Jan 2025

What this violation means

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) are the second major group of disinfection byproducts after TTHMs. They form by the same mechanism — chlorine reacting with organic matter — and pose similar long-term cancer risks. Utilities are required to test quarterly at distribution-system locations to track HAA5 levels.

Recommended precautions

→Activated carbon filtration removes most HAA5.
→Reverse osmosis is highly effective.
→Unlike TTHMs, HAA5 do not significantly off-gas. Use treatment rather than aeration.
→Long-term ingestion is the primary concern, not short-term skin contact.

Read the complete guide to Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

Leadchemical

EPA Code 5200 · Treatment Technique Violation

violations

EPA Limit

0.015 mg/L

Last Reading

—

First Reported

Oct 2024

Most Recent

Oct 2024

What this violation means

Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe exposure level. In drinking water it primarily enters via corroded lead service lines, lead-soldered copper pipes, and brass fixtures. Children under 6 and pregnant women face the highest risk because lead disrupts developing nervous and skeletal systems.

Recommended precautions

→Run cold tap water 30–120 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially after the tap has been unused for hours.
→Never cook with hot tap water — heat increases lead leaching from pipes.
→Use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter for lead removal (carbon block or reverse osmosis).
→If you have children, get blood lead levels tested by your pediatrician.

Read the complete guide to Lead

Uraniumradiological

EPA Code 4006 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.03 mg/L

Last Reading

24.3 PCI/L

First Reported

Oct 2022

Most Recent

Jan 2024

What this violation means

Uranium in drinking water is both a chemical toxin (kidney damage) and a radiological hazard (increased cancer risk). It's most commonly found in groundwater near uranium ore deposits or former mining activity in the Western US.

Recommended precautions

→Reverse osmosis is the gold standard for removing uranium.
→Ion exchange systems work but must be sized correctly for uranium.
→If you live near former mining sites, test for uranium even if not required.

Read the complete guide to Uranium

Nitratechemical

EPA Code 1040 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

10 mg/L

Last Reading

11 MG/L

First Reported

Jul 2022

Most Recent

Jul 2022

What this violation means

Nitrate contamination is most acute in agricultural regions where fertilizer and animal waste leach into groundwater. The immediate risk is to formula-fed infants under 6 months — high nitrate levels prevent their blood from carrying oxygen, causing 'blue baby syndrome.' Pregnant women should also avoid high-nitrate water.

Recommended precautions

→Never give untreated high-nitrate water to infants — use bottled water for formula.
→Boiling does NOT remove nitrate. Boiling concentrates it.
→Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation are the only effective home treatments.
→Private well owners in farming areas should test annually for nitrate.

Read the complete guide to Nitrate

Arsenicchemical

EPA Code 1005 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.01 mg/L

Last Reading

.315 MG/L

First Reported

Jul 2021

Most Recent

Apr 2022

What this violation means

Arsenic is a known human carcinogen that occurs naturally in groundwater across many parts of the United States, especially the Southwest and parts of New England. Long-term exposure even at low levels has been linked to bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and developmental effects in children.

Recommended precautions

→Reverse osmosis filtration removes arsenic effectively.
→Distillation also removes arsenic — point-of-use distillers work for drinking and cooking water.
→Boiling does NOT remove arsenic. It actually concentrates it as water evaporates.
→If your well water has arsenic, test annually and treat at the point of entry.

Read the complete guide to Arsenic

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving CHARLOTTE

RHA HEALTH SERVICES, LLC

PWSID: NC0113204

363 served

BLUE RIDGE ESTATES

PWSID: NC3095004

51 served

MAPLE HILLS MHP

PWSID: NC0145115

185 served

HOLLY FAYE MHP

PWSID: NC0136227

60 served

5 violations

AZALEA HILLS MHP

PWSID: NC0136286

80 served

JACKSON HEIGHTS MHP

PWSID: NC0454127

107 served

MOBIL LODGE MHP

PWSID: NC0180130

94 served

MCBRIDE`S MHP

PWSID: NC0234167

190 served

RIVERWALK PLANTATION

PWSID: NC0160379

89 served

CHARLOTTE WATER

PWSID: NC0160010

1,163,701 served

HOMESTEAD MHP NO 2

PWSID: NC0474110

200 served

WEST 49 MHP

PWSID: NC0276143

93 served

STATESVILLE MHP LLC

PWSID: NC0149152

104 served

SCENIC OAKS MHP

PWSID: NC0276215

79 served

ROCKY RIVER PLANTATION S/D

PWSID: NC0113220

300 served

2 violations

ALAMANCE MHP LLC

PWSID: NC0241150

66 served

CHARLESTON TRAIL ESTATES

PWSID: NC0155132

110 served

COOLEY`S MHP

PWSID: NC0392118

109 served

D&M RENTALS/HENRY MOBILE COURT

PWSID: NC0136383

58 served

2 violations

BEECHBROOK S/D

PWSID: NC0136106

97 served

EASTWOOD FOREST MHP

PWSID: NC0160137

366 served

SUGAR MOUNTAIN UTILITY

PWSID: NC0106107

3,226 served

BUFFALO MEADOWS S/D

PWSID: NC0105102

120 served

2 violations

HIGH MEADOWS S/D

PWSID: NC0103102

650 served

MT MITCHELL LANDS

PWSID: NC0100103

650 served

MOUNTAIN AIR

PWSID: NC0100105

664 served

SKYVIEW PARK

PWSID: NC0136190

158 served

2 violations

CHAPEL HILL S/D

PWSID: NC0195108

216 served

CRESTVIEW ESTATES S/D

PWSID: NC0195128

87 served

FAIRFIELD MTNS-APPLE VALLEY

PWSID: NC0181133

950 served

CONNESTEE FALLS

PWSID: NC0188104

3,532 served

STONE HOLLOW S/D

PWSID: NC0160281

582 served

COUNTRY HILLS S/D

PWSID: NC0160218

259 served

HUNTINGTON FOREST S/D

PWSID: NC0160146

201 served

TANGLEWOOD ESTATES S/D

PWSID: NC0326342

309 served

RUTLEDGE LANDING NORTH

PWSID: NC4092085

389 served

HARBOR HOUSE S/D

PWSID: NC0160211

25 served

SHERWOOD FOREST WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0188116

680 served

HOUND EARS WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0195112

975 served

POWDER HORN MOUNTAIN

PWSID: NC0195122

548 served

SKI MOUNTAIN S/D

PWSID: NC0195119

397 served

CAMELOT S/D

PWSID: NC0145169

70 served

2 violations

FOREST HILLS WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0150107

323 served

BAHIA BAY S/D

PWSID: NC0160203

350 served

FAIRFIELD MOUNTAINS NO 1

PWSID: NC0181126

1,798 served

HEATHER GLEN S/D

PWSID: NC0332121

255 served

CAROLINA FOREST WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0362106

596 served

10 violations

RUTLEDGE LANDING S/D

PWSID: NC4392228

713 served

LAMPLIGHTER SOUTH-DANBY

PWSID: NC0160156

3,297 served

WINSTON PLANTATION

PWSID: NC4051002

229 served

WILDLIFE BAY S/D

PWSID: NC0149192

216 served

WILDERS VILLAGE S/D

PWSID: NC0235125

112 served

COUNTRY CLUB ANNEX

PWSID: NC0234115

38 served

GRANDVIEW WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0234124

198 served

SUBURBAN HEIGHTS S/D

PWSID: NC0136197

61 served

EASTGATE SD FAYETTEVILLE PWC

PWSID: NC0326280

205 served

SKI COUNTRY

PWSID: NC0106119

150 served

MISTY MOUNTAIN

PWSID: NC0114107

369 served

THE RIDGES AT MOUNTAIN HARBOR

PWSID: NC0122108

160 served

BEAR PAW RESORT

PWSID: NC0120103

909 served

BENT CREEK WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0111102

800 served

NORTH RIVER/MILL CREEK WATER SERVICE DIS

PWSID: NC0416197

4,417 served

KINGS GRANT S/D

PWSID: NC0136211

460 served

YORKTOWN S/D

PWSID: NC0234165

272 served

ABINGTON S/D

PWSID: NC0234191

1,506 served

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

PWSID: NC0195110

88 served

SHERWOOD PARK S/D

PWSID: NC0363115

248 served

STEWARTS RIDGE S/D

PWSID: NC0392400

125 served

WHITE OAK PLANTATION

PWSID: NC0351160

521 served

QUAIL RIDGE WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0353123

465 served

WHISPERING PINES DEVELOPMENT

PWSID: NC0363112

4,178 served

2 violations

BRANDYWINE BAY

PWSID: NC0416163

2,245 served

5 violations

COLLEGE PARK SD

PWSID: NC0136214

208 served

AMBER ACRES NORTH S/D

PWSID: NC0392346

752 served

20 violations

TUCKAHOE S/D

PWSID: NC0392333

221 served

WILLOWBROOK DEVELOPMENT

PWSID: NC0351166

432 served

BUFFALO CREEK S/D

PWSID: NC0351189

721 served

NEUSE WOODS MH S/D

PWSID: NC0392168

287 served

OAKES PLANTATION S/D

PWSID: NC0392083

60 served

BRADFIELD FARMS S/D

PWSID: NC0160264

2,967 served

JORDAN WOODS S/D

PWSID: NC0392099

70 served

OLDE LAMP PLACE

PWSID: NC0136352

119 served

CINNAMON WOODS

PWSID: NC0145167

288 served

2 violations

COUNTRY CROSSING S/D

PWSID: NC0392340

135 served

ASHLEY HILLS NORTH S/D

PWSID: NC0392341

602 served

AMHERST S/D

PWSID: NC0392095

325 served

HIDDEN HOLLOW S/D

PWSID: NC0392324

123 served

OAKDALE S/D

PWSID: NC0160171

112 served

HOLLY ACRES

PWSID: NC0136148

137 served

SANDY TRAIL S/D

PWSID: NC0392077

739 served

MERRIMON WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0416198

91 served

AMBER ACRES

PWSID: NC0392236

239 served

WATAUGA VISTA

PWSID: NC0157125

361 served

WOLF LAUREL RESORT

PWSID: NC0158101

1,819 served

HEATHFIELD S/D

PWSID: NC2060020

168 served

BELVEDERE PLANTATION

PWSID: NC0471111

3,462 served

OLDE POINT S/D

PWSID: NC0471112

516 served

FAIRFIELD HARBOUR

PWSID: NC0425132

5,514 served

MONTERREY S/D

PWSID: NC4392233

69 served

RANSDELL FOREST S/D MHP

PWSID: NC0464131

124 served

SADDLEWOOD II S/D

PWSID: NC0136342

320 served

HARBOUR POINT S/D

PWSID: NC0149185

3,909 served

PINNACLE SHORES S/D

PWSID: NC0149188

426 served

RIVER POINTE ESTATES

PWSID: NC0160253

490 served

MEADOW GLEN S/D

PWSID: NC4392174

84 served

30 violations

WOOD TRACE S/D

PWSID: NC4392148

117 served

LINDSEY POINT S/D

PWSID: NC4392153

76 served

EAGLES CROSSING S/D

PWSID: NC4392195

196 served

TREASURE COVE S/D

PWSID: NC0465165

760 served

FORESTBROOK S/D

PWSID: NC0136205

216 served

HIGH VISTA ESTATES

PWSID: NC0145140

775 served

QUEENS HARBOR/PIER POINT

PWSID: NC0160249

310 served

ECHOTA S/D

PWSID: NC3095002

678 served

40 violations

WATERGLYN S/D

PWSID: NC0156134

115 served

AMBER RIDGE S/D

PWSID: NC4392182

742 served

RIVERBEND ESTATES

PWSID: NC0157108

323 served

WOODHAVEN S/D

PWSID: NC0145147

198 served

THE COURTYARDS AT LAKE DAVIDSON

PWSID: NC2049052

71 served

ZEMOSA ACRES WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0113188

650 served

15 violations

MASON LANDING S/D

PWSID: NC7065035

61 served

TANGLEWOOD SOUTH MHPFAYETTEVILLE PWC

PWSID: NC0326367

259 served

LARKHAVEN S/D

PWSID: NC2060054

416 served

KIRK GLEN S/D

PWSID: NC0111149

92 served

2 violations

WHITE OAK VILLAGE

PWSID: NC1045025

185 served

2 violations

WINSTON POINTE S/D

PWSID: NC4051012

1,326 served

BLUE RIDGE MANOR ASH LAKE-HOLIDAY LN SEC

PWSID: NC0105101

46 served

ROLLING OAKS ESTATES

PWSID: NC0111142

75 served

2 violations

FAIRFIELD SAPPHIRE

PWSID: NC0150113

3,873 served

WESTWOOD FOREST MHP

PWSID: NC0160195

333 served

BLUE RIDGE MANOR-NIKANOR SECT

PWSID: NC0105104

320 served

LINVILLE RIDGE

PWSID: NC0106117

710 served

ELK RIVER CLUB DEVELOPMENT

PWSID: NC0106118

732 served

WILDWOOD GREEN/MCILWAINE

PWSID: NC0160200

681 served

BLUE RIDGE MNR ASHE LAKE BEAVER CRK SEC

PWSID: NC0105109

51 served

CAROLINA TRACE WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: NC0353101

4,516 served

5 violations

WOODRUN S/D

PWSID: NC0362107

1,216 served

25 violations

RIVERWOOD S/D

PWSID: NC0351187

553 served

What Can You Do?

✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CHARLOTTE, North Carolina tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had numerous EPA violations in the last 5 years. Consider filtered water.

How many EPA violations does CHARLOTTE have?▼

CHARLOTTE has 175 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 137 water systems serving 1,253,056 people.

What contaminants have been found in CHARLOTTE water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 1040, 5200, 2950, 2456, 4006, 1005. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in CHARLOTTE?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in CHARLOTTE?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.