States › North Carolina › Burke County

Burke County, NC Water Quality

Water quality data for 6 public water systems serving Burke County, North Carolina — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 6 water systems · 10 cities
✅
Excellent — All Systems Performing Well

Water quality across the county is outstanding with minimal violations and very low lead levels.

A

Burke County Earns a A

Burke County: 10 communities across 6 water systems. 90.0% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: none detected
  • 0 communities with a lead detection, 10 reporting none detected
  • 0 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 0 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 90.0% of communities have no open violations
—
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
6
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
90%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • Morganton
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Valdese
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Drexel
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Salem
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Glen Alpine
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Rhodhiss
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    D
  • Icard
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
  • Hildebran
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
  • Connelly Springs
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
  • Rutherford College
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    B

All Cities in Burke County

Morganton Not detected A
Valdese Not detected A
Icard Not detected A
Drexel Not detected B
Salem Not detected A
Hildebran Not detected A
Glen Alpine Not detected A
Connelly Springs Not detected A
Rutherford College Not detected B
Rhodhiss Not detected D
Showing 10 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Burke County Drinking Water

Burke County is served by 6 water systems covering 10 communities. 90% have no open violations.

Lead was not detected in any community in Burke County that reported a result.

No community here has PFAS above the federal limit on record. State inspectors recorded no significant deficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke County tap water safe to drink?▼
90% of communities have no open violation. No community has PFAS above the federal limit on record.
What is the lead level in Burke County?▼
No community reported a lead detection.
How many water systems serve Burke County?▼
6 community water systems serve 10 communities here.
← Back to North Carolina water quality overview