Durham, NC Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Durham, NC — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Durham's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Durham, City Of PWSID: NC0332010 Updated: 2026 Q2

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PFAS above the federal limit at 2 of 2 sampling points

Lead was not detected and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 2 of 2 sampling points, running as high as 1.3 times the limit.

Durham earns a B for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: not detected

PFAS above the federal limit at 2 of 2 sampling points

5 violations since 2015, 0 health-based

No violations currently open

Durham's lead level vs. all North Carolina community water systems

0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb

Lead level: Not detected — 0% of the federal action level

✓ Lower lead than % of North Carolina utilities

Population Served

276652

~93952 connections

Water Source

Surface water

Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW

Active Violations

5 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)

90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system

0% of EPA action level

Not detected

Action level: 15 ppb

Lead was not detected at the 90th percentile — the result fell below the laboratory detection limit. That is not the same as an absence of lead in every tap, and older homes with lead service lines can still show higher readings.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

Contaminant	Type	Measured	Limit	Period	Status
Revised Total Coliform Rule	REPORTING FAILURE	—	—	2023	Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule	OTHER	—	—	2021	Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule	OTHER	—	—	2020	Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	—	2018	Resolved
Coliform (TCR)	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	5% of samples	2015	Resolved

Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

5 violations are on record since 2015, of which 0 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Durham, City Of

PWSID NC0332010

Water source Surface water — Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW

Population served 276,652

Service connections 93,952

Systems serving this area 8

Regulator State primacy agency

Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Durham tap water safe to drink? ▼

It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 2 of 2 sampling points. No violations are currently open.

Does Durham water have PFAS? ▼

Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 2 of 2 sampling points, running as high as 1.3 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.

Who supplies water to Durham? ▼

Durham, City Of (PWSID NC0332010), one of 8 systems serving this area. Surface water. Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW

When was this system last inspected? ▼

It was last inspected on 2026-03-10. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Durham Residents Do?

Consider a reverse-osmosis filter

Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.

Check for a lead service line

Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.

Flush before drinking

If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

Gorman, Nc Tap Water Quality 2026 Durham Rougemont, Nc Tap Water Quality 2026 Durham