D
51

US Water Score: D

Rocky Point, NC 28457

Pender County · Population served: 31,600 · Data updated July 2026

Service-area evidence: EPA service-area records associate the listed system with this ZIP. Boundaries may still overlap or change.

Water Systems Serving This Area

🏔
PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES
Surface water · Pop. 31,600
PWSID: NC7071011

Contaminants Detected

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
Lead
0.0
15 ppb 1 ppb Passed

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

4 detected Below comparison values

UCMR5 occurrence results are screening information, not a finding of regulatory compliance or noncompliance. PFAS rules and compliance dates are evolving.

CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFPeA7.6 pptNo standardNo federal MCL shown
PFBS5.3 ppt2000 ppt100 pptBelow comparison value
PFBA5.0 pptNo standard500 pptNo federal MCL shown
PFHxA4.8 pptNo standard400 pptNo federal MCL shown

Violation History (Last 5 Years)

16Total (5yr)
13Health-Based
1Major

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Rocky Point

Tap water quality in Rocky Point, North Carolina (28457) receives an overall grade of D (Elevated record-based concern) with a score of 51 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is 40 points below the North Carolina state average of 90. Compared to the national average (75), this area scores significantly lower. The area is served by Pender County Utilities, a surface water system providing water to approximately 31,600 people. PFAS testing detected 4 compounds, all below the EPA final MCL values used for comparison. Over the past 5 years, water systems here have accumulated 16 violations, including 13 health-based violations.

Your Score 51/100 D
vs State 40 pts below North Carolina avg (90)
vs National 24 pts below national avg (75)

What a Grade D Means

A score of 51/100 flags significant system-level concerns in the US Water Score model for Rocky Point, NC. These may include violations, contaminant levels near or above regulatory limits, or PFAS detections. Review the detailed records, your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and qualified local guidance.

Surface water: sourced from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs

Health Information

What These Contaminants Mean for You

⚠️

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

Tap water in Rocky Point, North Carolina receives a grade of D (Elevated record-based concern) with a score of 51/100. This indicates significant water quality concerns based on violation history, contaminant levels, or enforcement actions. We recommend reviewing the specific contaminants detected below and considering a certified water filter.

ZIP code 28457 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 31,600 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 Rocky Point, North Carolina are 0.0 ppb, which is at or below the health guideline of 1 ppb. This is a positive result, though periodic testing is still recommended.

4 PFAS compounds were detected in water serving Rocky Point, North Carolina, with reported values below the EPA final MCL values used by this site. This comparison is informational: federal compliance timelines and the status of some PFAS standards are still evolving. Activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters can reduce some PFAS when appropriately certified and maintained.

Water systems serving Rocky Point, North Carolina have received 16 violations in the last 5 years, including 13 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 Rocky Point, 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.

Explore Nearby

Water Quality in Nearby ZIP Codes