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Jackson County, NC Water Quality

Water quality data for 7 public water systems serving Jackson County, North Carolina — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 7 water systems · 9 cities
✅
Excellent — All Systems Performing Well

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

A

Jackson County Earns a A

Jackson County: 9 communities across 7 water systems. 100.0% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 12.05 ppb
  • 2 communities with a lead detection, 7 reporting none detected
  • 0 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 0 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 100.0% of communities have no open violations
12.05 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
7
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
100%
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
  • Sylva
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Forest Hills
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Dillsboro
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Glenville
    2.00 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Whittier
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    B
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Cashiers
    22.10 ppb
    Lead above the 15 ppb action level
    C
  • Cullowhee
    Not detected
    4 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • Cherokee
    Not detected
    5 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • Webster
    Not detected
    4 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • Whittier
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    B
County Lead Level — Median 12.05 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 12.05 ppb — 80.3% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
1
10 – 15 ppb
1
No Data
7

All Cities in Jackson County

Cullowhee Not detected B
Cherokee Not detected B
Sylva Not detected B
Webster Not detected B
Forest Hills Not detected B
Cashiers 22.10 ppb C
Dillsboro Not detected B
Whittier Not detected B
Glenville 2.00 ppb B
Showing 9 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Jackson County Drinking Water

Jackson County is served by 7 water systems covering 9 communities. No community here has an open violation on record.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 2 recorded a detection, with a median of 12.05 ppb — 80% of the federal action level. 7 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jackson County tap water safe to drink?▼
No community in Jackson County has an open violation on record. No community has PFAS above the federal limit on record.
What is the lead level in Jackson County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 12.05 ppb, 80% of the 15 ppb action level. 7 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Jackson County?▼
7 community water systems serve 9 communities here.
← Back to North Carolina water quality overview