North Carolina Water Quality Report 2026

11 cities3,208,580 residentsUpdated March 2026

C77.5/100State Average
North Carolina has 11 cities in our database, serving approximately 3,208,580 residents. The average PurityMap score is 77.5/100 (Grade: C), which is 0.4 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Raleigh has the cleanest water (82/100) while Wilmington scores lowest (62/100) due to PFAS detected.
Is North Carolina Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Safe — Filtration Recommended

North Carolina tap water is safe — filtration recommended based on our analysis of 11 water systems serving 3,208,580 residents. The average PurityMap score is 77.5/100 (Grade: C), which is 0.4 points below the national average.

  • PFAS detected in 3 of 11 cities (27%). Forever chemicals require reverse osmosis filtration.
  • 11 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
Our Recommendation

We recommend an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water in PFAS-affected areas of North Carolina. RO removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. For hard water cities, add a whole-house softener.

All 11 cities in North Carolina meet EPA federal drinking water standards as of 2026. However, EPA standards set legal limits — not health goals. Many contaminants are detected at levels that are legal but may still pose long-term health risks according to independent health organizations like the EWG.
North Carolina at a Glance
77.5Avg Purity Score
1.8Avg Hardness (GPG)
Soft
3Cities with PFAS
0Cities with Hard Water
2.2Avg Lead (ppb)
59Avg TDS (ppm)

North Carolina is 0.4 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 4.5 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG.

Best & Worst Water in North Carolina
Cleanest

Raleigh

82/100

Source: Falls Lake and Lake Benson

Most Concerns

Wilmington

62/100

PFAS detected

Cities with Most Water Concerns in North Carolina

Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.

RankCityScoreHardnessLeadKey Issues
1Wilmington 62/1002.5 GPG2.5 ppbPFAS (6.5 ppt)
2Charlotte 67/1001.3 GPG2.5 ppbPFAS (3.8 ppt)
3Fayetteville 67/1002.0 GPG2.2 ppbPFAS (4.2 ppt)
4Raleigh 82/1001.6 GPG2.0 ppbLead 2.0 ppb
5Greensboro 82/1001.9 GPG2.2 ppbLead 2.2 ppb
6Durham 82/1002.0 GPG2.2 ppbLead 2.2 ppb
7Winston-Salem 82/1002.5 GPG2.5 ppbLead 2.5 ppb
8Cary 82/1001.8 GPG1.8 ppbScore: 82/100
9High Point 82/1001.9 GPG2.2 ppbLead 2.2 ppb
10Concord 82/1001.5 GPG2.0 ppbLead 2.0 ppb
Score Distribution

How North Carolina's 11 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:

Excellent (85–100)
0 cities
Good (70–84)
8 cities
Moderate (60–69)
3 cities
Poor (below 60)
0 cities
Largest Cities in North Carolina — Water Quality

Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.












CityPopulationScoreHardnessKey Issues
Charlotte1.1M 67/1001.3 GPGPFAS
Raleigh470K 82/1001.6 GPG—
Greensboro295K 82/1001.9 GPG—
Durham274K 82/1002.0 GPG—
Winston-Salem250K 82/1002.5 GPG—
Fayetteville212K 67/1002.0 GPGPFAS
Cary175K 82/1001.8 GPG—
Wilmington120K 62/1002.5 GPGPFAS
High Point114K 82/1001.9 GPG—
Concord105K 82/1001.5 GPG—
Asheville94K 82/1001.2 GPG—
Hard Water in North Carolina

North Carolina generally has soft to moderate water. Average: 1.8 GPG (Soft). Most residents do not need a softener.

PFAS in North Carolina Water

PFAS have been detected in 3 of 11 cities (27%) in North Carolina. Highest: Wilmington at 6.5 ppt. Affected: Wilmington, Fayetteville, Charlotte. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.

PFAS Guide RO for PFAS
Lead in North Carolina Water

All North Carolina cities have lead below 5 ppb. Average: 2.2 ppb. Individual homes with older plumbing may have higher levels.

Water Sources in North Carolina

Where North Carolina gets its drinking water, based on 11 water systems.


Source TypeCities% of Total
Surface Water11100%
Recommended Filter for North Carolina

3 cities have PFAS. Reverse osmosis is the most effective solution.

All North Carolina Cities — Ranked
#CityPop.ScoreHardnessLeadPFASTDS
1Wilmington120K 62/1002.5 GPG (Soft)2.5 ppb⚠️ Yes (6.5 ppt)85 ppm
2Charlotte1.1M 67/1001.3 GPG (Soft)2.5 ppb⚠️ Yes (3.8 ppt)45 ppm
3Fayetteville212K 67/1002.0 GPG (Soft)2.2 ppb⚠️ Yes (4.2 ppt)65 ppm
4Raleigh470K 82/1001.6 GPG (Soft)2.0 ppb✅ No50 ppm
5Durham274K 82/1002.0 GPG (Soft)2.2 ppb✅ No62 ppm
6Greensboro295K 82/1001.9 GPG (Soft)2.2 ppb✅ No60 ppm
7Winston-Salem250K 82/1002.5 GPG (Soft)2.5 ppb✅ No80 ppm
8Cary175K 82/1001.8 GPG (Soft)1.8 ppb✅ No55 ppm
9High Point114K 82/1001.9 GPG (Soft)2.2 ppb✅ No60 ppm
10Concord105K 82/1001.5 GPG (Soft)2.0 ppb✅ No48 ppm
11Asheville94K 82/1001.2 GPG (Soft)1.8 ppb✅ No35 ppm
Water Utilities in North Carolina

North Carolina has 11 utilities. Major: Charlotte Water, City of Raleigh Public Utilities, City of Greensboro Water Resources, City of Durham Water Management, City of Winston-Salem Water.

Sources: Catawba River Mountain Island Lake, Falls Lake and Lake Benson, Lake Brandt Lake Townsend Lake Higgins, Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir, Salem Lake and Belews Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the best water in North Carolina?
Raleigh scores highest at 82/100. Source: Falls Lake and Lake Benson.
Which city has the worst water in North Carolina?
Wilmington scores lowest at 62/100 due to PFAS detected.
Is North Carolina water hard or soft?
Average hardness: 1.8 GPG (Soft). 4.5 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG. 0 of 11 cities have hard/very hard water.
Has PFAS been found in North Carolina water?
PFAS have been detected in 3 of 11 cities (27%) in North Carolina. Highest: Wilmington at 6.5 ppt. Affected: Wilmington, Fayetteville, Charlotte. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.
What water filter should I use in North Carolina?
3 cities have PFAS. Reverse osmosis is the most effective solution.
How does North Carolina water compare to the US average?
Score: 77.5/100 (0.4 points below US avg 77.9). Hardness: 1.8 GPG (4.5 GPG below US avg 6.3).
Where does North Carolina get its drinking water?Where does North Carolina get its drinking water?
North Carolina water comes from: Surface Water: 11 cities (100%).
Data Sources & Methodology
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
  • USGS regional water monitoring data

PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.

How we analyze water Data sources
All North Carolina Cities with Water Reports

11 city water quality reports available for North Carolina.

11 Reports
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Showing all 11 cities
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