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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 27822 Water Quality & Testing Report

Elm City, NC · Wilson County County · Updated for 2026

Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 27822 (Elm City, NC)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 27822 (Elm City, NC) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (57/100) due to 8 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by Elm City, Town of, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

8

Total Violations

24

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

1

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 8 unresolved violations. Contact Elm City, Town of for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 27822

Tap water in ZIP code 27822 (Elm City, NC) is distributed by Elm City, Town of (EPA ID: NC0498020), serving approximately 1,450 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 57/100.

Water System

Elm City, Town of

EPA ID: NC0498020

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

1,450 residents

County

Wilson County County, North Carolina

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Lead Levels in ZIP 27822

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 27822. Contact Elm City, Town of to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 27822 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 45% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

45%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Moderately Hard3.5 GPG · 60 mg/L

Water in ZIP 27822 is Moderately Hard (60 mg/L / 3.5 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

3.5 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

60 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Elm City, Town of · PWSID: NC0498020

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Elm City, Town of has recorded 8 health-based violations out of 24 total violations over the past 5 years. 8 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
24
Health-Based Violations
8
Unresolved Violations
8
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$2
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.51%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 27822

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 27822 served by Elm City, Town of can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in NC for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 27822 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 27822 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 27822?+
Tap water in 27822 (Elm City, NC) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 27822 (Elm City, NC)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 27822, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in NC. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 27822?+
Tap water in 27822 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 60 mg/L (3.5 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 27822?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 27822 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 27822 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 27822. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 27822?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 27822. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 27822?+
Tap water in ZIP code 27822 is provided by Elm City, Town of (EPA ID: NC0498020), serving approximately 1,450 residents.
What water filter should I use in 27822?+
Based on water metrics for 27822, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Chemical Contaminants), NSF/ANSI 42 (Aesthetic Effects).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 27822 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Elm City, Town of. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →