B
75

Good Water Quality

Raleigh, NC 27695

Wake County · Population served: 224,000 · Data updated March 2026

Water Systems Serving This Area

🏔
CARY, TOWN OF
Surface water · Pop. 224,000
PWSID: NC0392020

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

4 detected All below limits
CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFBA7.3 pptNo standard500 pptUnregulated
PFPeA7.0 pptNo standardUnregulated
PFHxA6.6 pptNo standard400 pptUnregulated
PFBS3.4 ppt2000 ppt100 pptBelow limit

Violation History (Last 5 Years)

10Total (5yr)
6Health-Based
0Major

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Raleigh

Tap water quality in Raleigh, North Carolina (27695) receives an overall grade of B (Good) with a score of 75 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is roughly in line with the North Carolina state average of 72. The area is served by Cary, Town Of, a surface water system providing water to approximately 224,000 people. PFAS testing detected 4 compounds, all currently below EPA limits. Over the past 5 years, water systems here have accumulated 10 violations, including 6 health-based violations.

Your Score 75/100 B
vs State 3 pts above North Carolina avg (72)
vs National Equal to national average (75)

What a Grade B Means

A score of 75/100 means the water in Raleigh, NC is generally good and meets EPA standards, with only minor areas of concern. There may be low levels of detectable contaminants or a small number of non-critical violations. Most residents can feel comfortable with their tap water quality, though basic filtration can provide an extra layer of protection.

Surface water: sourced from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on EPA data, tap water in Raleigh, North Carolina receives a grade of B (Good) with a score of 75/100. This indicates the water meets federal standards and has relatively few concerns. However, individual homes may still have localized issues such as lead from old plumbing.

ZIP code 27695 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 224,000 people. Surface water systems are more susceptible to contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and weather events, but typically undergo more extensive treatment including filtration and disinfection.

No lead data is currently available for ZIP code 27695. This may mean lead testing results haven't been reported recently, or the serving water system uses monitoring waivers. You can request a free lead test kit from most water utilities or purchase a certified home testing kit.

4 PFAS compounds were detected in water serving Raleigh, North Carolina, but all are currently below EPA limits. While levels are within regulatory standards, some health organizations recommend minimizing any PFAS exposure. Activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters can reduce PFAS levels.

Water systems serving Raleigh, North Carolina have received 10 violations in the last 5 years, including 6 health-based violations. Violations can range from paperwork issues (monitoring & reporting) to serious health-based violations where contaminant levels exceeded safe limits. Review the violation details above for specifics.

Based on detected contaminants (PFAS), residents in Raleigh, North Carolina should consider: Reverse osmosis (RO) system — most effective for PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. Always look for filters with NSF/ANSI certification for the specific contaminants you want to remove.

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