Loading water data...
Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for DURHAM, CITY OF • Updated September 2026
Grade C — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
DURHAM, CITY OF has a mixed record — read the reasons below; the deductions come from real EPA violations, lead results or PFAS detections, not from a template.
Durham, NC tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.
Durham, NC tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.
DURHAM, CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31) was 0 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-02-20 to 2023-11-14) detected PFBA, PFBS, PFOA, PFOS, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
DURHAM, CITY OF has 4 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 1 monitoring or reporting violation in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
DURHAM, CITY OF reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 333,490 people (EPA PWSID NC0332010).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result.
Compare filter options for your Durham tap water
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Durham's UCMR5 sampling.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
Amazon. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
DURHAM, CITY OF · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years. The 1 violation on file in that window is monitoring or reporting paperwork issues, not measured contaminant exceedances.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report Sample Result/Fail Monitor (RTCR)Revised Total Coliform Rule | Reporting | 2023-02-11 | Resolvedreturned 2023-02-14 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to ReportConsumer Confidence Rule | Other | 2021-07-01 | Resolvedreturned 2021-10-14 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to ReportConsumer Confidence Rule | Other | 2020-07-01 | Resolvedreturned 2020-10-27 |
| Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2018-06-01 → 2018-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2018-06-30 |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by DURHAM, CITY OF
Well below the 15 ppb action level. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31), 90% of the homes DURHAM, CITY OF sampled had lead at or below 0 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-01 → 2025-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2020-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2017-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2014-01-01 → 2016-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2011-01-01 → 2013-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2008-01-01 → 2010-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2008-01-01 → 2008-06-30 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2007-07-01 → 2007-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2005-01-01 → 2007-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2005-01-01 → 2007-12-31 | 14 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2007-01-01 → 2007-06-30 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2004-07-01 → 2004-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2023-02-20 to 2023-11-14 · 232 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFOA and PFOS measured at or above EPA's legal limit in at least one sample. Utilities have until 2029 (2031 under EPA's proposed extension) to comply with the 2024 PFAS rule, so a result above the MCL today is not yet a violation — but it is the number that matters for your health.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 1 / 8 | 4.1 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 7 / 8 | 5.8 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 8 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 8 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 8 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 7 / 8 | 6.5 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFBA | 1 / 8 | 5.2 | 5 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
What PFAS are and how to remove them → · Best filters for PFAS →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for DURHAM, CITY OF · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples DURHAM, CITY OF reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) is flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 160 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 10 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Nitrate (as N) | 166 detects | 0.087 mg/L | 0.3 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 1612 detects | 0.494 mg/L | 0.8 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 160 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 100 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Uranium (combined) | 20 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 30 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Radium-226/228 | 40 detects | 0 pCi/L | ND | 5 pCi/LMCL | Not detected |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 350 | 45.206 µg/L | 84 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 2 single samples over MCL; average within limit |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 347337 detects | 29.52 µg/L | 58 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 8814 detects | 0.018 µg/L | 5 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 881106 detects | 16.604 µg/L | 2899 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Durham will follow up - no obligation.
DURHAM, CITY OF · 109,515 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
DURHAM, CITY OF reports 37 service lines that are lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement (<0.1% of the lines it has inventoried), plus 54,372 lines whose material is still unknown. A lead service line is the pipe between the water main and a building, so treated water can pick up lead after it leaves the plant — which city-level testing does not capture. Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, utilities must replace lead lines within 10 years starting in 2027.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID NC0332010 · See all North Carolina lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Surface-water systems draw from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and must filter and disinfect, which is why disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) are the readings to watch.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Durham homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Durham faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Durham households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Durham residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 27503, 27701, 27703, 27704 +6 more). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Durham yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Durham ranks #4 of 5 graded North Carolina cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Durham's water, with removal options for each.
Durham, NC tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.
DURHAM, CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31) was 0 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-02-20 to 2023-11-14) detected PFBA, PFBS, PFOA, PFOS, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
DURHAM, CITY OF has 4 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 1 monitoring or reporting violation in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
DURHAM, CITY OF reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 333,490 people (EPA PWSID NC0332010).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result.
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Durham's UCMR5 sampling.
Most Popular for PFAS
Waterdrop 3-Stage Under-Sink
Lab-tested against PFAS "forever chemicals" — installs under the sink in minutes and costs far less than RO.
Check Price on AmazonCompare direct from Waterdrop
Reverse osmosis systems for PFAS
Reverse osmosis is the most thorough filtration class against PFAS — browse Waterdrop RO systems and check each model’s own tested claims.
Shop Reverse Osmosis Systems →Whole-Home Filtration System
Whole-house system — treats every tap at the source
For consistently poor water, a whole-home system filters every faucet, shower, and appliance — the permanent, install-once fix that goes beyond a single point-of-use filter.
Explore Whole-Home SystemsNot sure what filter you need?
Test your tap water first, so you filter for what's actually in it.
Shop Home Water Test Kits →We may earn a commission from Amazon and Waterdrop when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Find the right filter for your Durham water quality needs:
Tap water is one piece of the picture — our sister sites cover the rest for Durham, NC.
Live EPA AirNow AQI, dominant pollutant and forecast.
Predicted indoor radon by ZIP vs. the EPA 4 pCi/L action level.
Arsenic and nitrate risk for homes on a well instead of city water.
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.