States › North Carolina › McDowell County

McDowell County, NC Water Quality

Water quality data for 2 public water systems serving McDowell County, North Carolina — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 2 water systems · 4 cities
✅
Excellent — All Systems Performing Well

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

A

McDowell County Earns a A

McDowell County: 4 communities across 2 water systems. 100.0% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: none detected
  • 0 communities with a lead detection, 4 reporting none detected
  • 0 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 0 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 100.0% of communities have no open violations
—
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
2
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
  • Marion
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    B
  • West Marion
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    B
  • Old Fort
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
  • Nebo
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    B
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Marion
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    B
  • West Marion
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    B
  • Old Fort
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
  • Nebo
    Not detected
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    B

All Cities in McDowell County

Marion Not detected B
West Marion Not detected B
Old Fort Not detected A
Nebo Not detected B
Showing 4 cities
No active violations Active violations

About McDowell County Drinking Water

McDowell County is served by 2 water systems covering 4 communities. No community here has an open violation on record.

Lead was not detected in any community in McDowell 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 McDowell County tap water safe to drink?▼
No community in McDowell County has an open violation on record. No community has PFAS above the federal limit on record.
What is the lead level in McDowell County?▼
No community reported a lead detection.
How many water systems serve McDowell County?▼
2 community water systems serve 4 communities here.
← Back to North Carolina water quality overview