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

ZIP Code 28220 Water Quality & Testing Report

Charlotte, NC · Mecklenburg 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 28220 (Charlotte, NC)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 28220 (Charlotte, NC) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by Charlotte Water, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (84/100) with 12 health violations, 5.0 ppb lead, and soft (53 mg/L / 3.1 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

12

Total Violations

38

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

4

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 6 unresolved violations. Contact Charlotte Water for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 28220

Tap water in ZIP code 28220 (Charlotte, NC) is distributed by Charlotte Water (EPA ID: NC0160010), serving approximately 1,163,701 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 84/100.

Water System

Charlotte Water

EPA ID: NC0160010

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

1,163,701 residents

County

Mecklenburg County County, North Carolina

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 28220

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

Lead Level: 5.0 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 28220 is 5.0 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
5.00 ppb (0.005 mg/L)
Copper Level (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

1.44 mg/L
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
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.
🪨

Water Hardness & Mineral Content

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

Classification: Soft3.1 GPG · 53 mg/L

Water in ZIP 28220 is classified as Soft (53 mg/L / 3.1 GPG). Soft water produces abundant soap lather, prevents scale buildup in water heaters, and does not leave spots on dishes.

Recommendation: No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

3.1 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

53 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Very Low

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Charlotte Water · PWSID: NC0160010

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Charlotte Water has recorded 12 health-based violations out of 38 total violations over the past 5 years. 6 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
38
Health-Based Violations
12
Unresolved Violations
6
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 4 contaminants with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Combined Radium, Stage 2 DBP Rule.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Combined RadiumStage 2 DBP Rule

From Consumer Confidence Report:

TTHM (64 ppb)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 8 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
CCR Source Classification
Surface water - Mountain Island Lake and Lake Norman (Catawba River Basin)
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3

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

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 28220

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 28220 served by Charlotte Water 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 28220 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Charlotte Water
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

🚰

NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 28220 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 28220?+
Yes — tap water in 28220 (Charlotte, NC) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 28220 (Charlotte, NC)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 28220, 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 28220?+
Tap water in 28220 is classified as Soft with an estimated mineral hardness of 53 mg/L (3.1 GPG). No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Should I test private well water in 28220?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 28220 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 28220 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 28220 is 5.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 28220?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 28220. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 28220?+
Tap water in ZIP code 28220 is provided by Charlotte Water (EPA ID: NC0160010), serving approximately 1,163,701 residents.
What water filter should I use in 28220?+
Based on water metrics for 28220, 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 28220 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 Charlotte Water. 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 →