A
85

Excellent Water Quality

Fayetteville, NC 28311

Cumberland County · Population served: 215,590 · Data updated March 2026

Water Systems Serving This Area

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FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC WORKS COMM
Surface water · Pop. 215,590
PWSID: NC0326010

Contaminants Detected

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
Lead
1.0
15 ppb 1 ppb Passed

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

9 detected 3 above EPA limits
CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFOS21.8 ppt4 ppt4 pptExceeded
PFPeA21.5 pptNo standardUnregulated
PFHxS19.1 ppt10 ppt10 pptExceeded
PFHxA18.2 pptNo standard400 pptUnregulated
PFBS12.1 ppt2000 ppt100 pptBelow limit
PFBA11.4 pptNo standard500 pptUnregulated
PFOA11.0 ppt4 ppt4 pptExceeded
6:2 FTS7.7 pptNo standardUnregulated

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Fayetteville

Tap water quality in Fayetteville, North Carolina (28311) receives an overall grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 85 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is 13 points above the North Carolina state average of 72. The area is served by Fayetteville Public Works Comm, a surface water system providing water to approximately 215,590 people. Notably, 3 PFAS compounds exceed EPA limits — a significant concern given the persistent nature of these chemicals. The area has a clean violation record over the past 5 years — a positive indicator of consistent water quality management.

Your Score 85/100 A
vs State 13 pts above North Carolina avg (72)
vs National 10 pts above national avg (75)

What a Grade A Means

A score of 85/100 means the water supply in Fayetteville, NC meets or exceeds all EPA standards with minimal issues. Contaminant levels are well within safe limits, and the water system has maintained a strong compliance record. While no water supply is guaranteed perfect at the tap due to household plumbing, this is among the best-scoring areas in the country.

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 Fayetteville, North Carolina receives a grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 85/100. 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 28311 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 215,590 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 levels in Fayetteville, North Carolina are 1.0 ppb, which is at or below the health guideline of 1 ppb. This is a positive result, though periodic testing is still recommended.

Yes — 9 PFAS compounds were detected in water serving Fayetteville, North Carolina, and 3 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 Fayetteville, North Carolina have zero violations in the last 5 years. This is a positive indicator of consistent regulatory compliance and water quality management.

Based on detected contaminants (PFAS), residents in Fayetteville, 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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