B
77

Good Water Quality

Mineral Springs, NC 28108

Union County · Population served: 167,554 · Data updated March 2026

Water Systems Serving This Area

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UNION COUNTY WATER SYSTEM
Surface water · Pop. 167,554
PWSID: NC0190413

Contaminants Detected

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
Lead
6.4
15 ppb 1 ppb Warning

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

5 detected 2 above EPA limits
CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFPeA10.0 pptNo standardUnregulated
PFHxA7.4 pptNo standard400 pptUnregulated
PFBA6.5 pptNo standard500 pptUnregulated
PFOS4.9 ppt4 ppt4 pptExceeded
PFOA4.2 ppt4 ppt4 pptExceeded

Violation History (Last 5 Years)

2Total (5yr)
0Health-Based
0Major

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Mineral Springs

Tap water quality in Mineral Springs, North Carolina (28108) receives an overall grade of B (Good) with a score of 77 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 Union County Water System, a surface water system providing water to approximately 167,554 people. Testing has found elevated levels of Lead that warrant attention. Notably, 2 PFAS compounds exceed EPA limits — a significant concern given the persistent nature of these chemicals.

Your Score 77/100 B
vs State 5 pts above North Carolina avg (72)
vs National 2 pts above national avg (75)

What a Grade B Means

A score of 77/100 means the water in Mineral Springs, 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

Health Information

What These Contaminants Mean for You

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Lead in Your Water

Lead is a toxic metal that can leach from aging pipes and plumbing fixtures.

Health Effects

Even low levels of lead exposure can cause developmental delays in children, kidney damage, and cardiovascular effects in adults. The EPA action level is 15 ppb, but health experts recommend no safe level of lead in drinking water.

Common Sources

Lead enters water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures — especially in homes built before 1986.

What You Can Do

If lead is detected above 1 ppb, consider using a certified lead-removal filter (NSF/ANSI 53) for drinking and cooking water. Run cold water for 30 seconds before use if water has been sitting in pipes.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on EPA data, tap water in Mineral Springs, North Carolina receives a grade of B (Good) with a score of 77/100. 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 28108 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 167,554 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.

Lead was detected at 6.4 ppb in Mineral Springs, North Carolina. While this is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, it exceeds the health guideline of 1 ppb recommended by health organizations. Consider a certified lead filter, especially if you have young children.

Yes — 5 PFAS compounds were detected in water serving Mineral Springs, North Carolina, and 2 exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer, immune system effects, and developmental issues. A reverse osmosis or activated carbon filter certified for PFAS removal is recommended.

Water systems serving Mineral Springs, North Carolina have received 2 violations in the last 5 years. 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 (lead, PFAS), residents in Mineral Springs, 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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