WaterQ
North Carolina State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Durham tap water safe to drink?

✓ Generally Safe
A

Mostly yes — Durham scores 93/100.

Safety Score
93
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Durham?

Read Decision Guide →

Durham

North Carolina

View North Carolina state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is Durham tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Durham scores 93/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Durham. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 02:30 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Durham.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Durham?

Requirement Status
Optional
🟢
💡

Expert Advice

Your water quality is excellent. Standard filtration is optional but can further enhance taste.

Buying a Filter?

Filter or no filter for Durham water? Here's what the data says.

Baby Formula Safety

What new parents in Durham should know about tap water safety.

Homebuyer's Perspective

Water quality is easy to overlook when evaluating a move to Durham, but it can affect plumbing longevity and appliance lifespan. The high safety score (93/100) suggests lower risk for plumbing corrosion and appliance scaling.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Chloramine levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for Durham

0
Violations (5yr)
0
Unresolved
8
Contaminants Tracked
2
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Durham.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Durham tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Durham scores 93/100.

How many water systems serve Durham?

Durham is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Durham?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Durham.

What is the water quality score for Durham?

The water quality score for Durham is 93 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Durham?

The top contaminants detected in Durham include Chloramine, Barium, Nitrite. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
93/100
Grade
A
Water Systems
1
Population
322,083

Durham Water Quality Summary

Durham, NC receives a water quality score of 93/100 (Grade A) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 1 public water system serving the area.

Durham's water quality is above the national average, with strong compliance records and low contaminant levels. Residents generally receive clean, safe tap water that meets EPA standards.

Durham's score of 93 is 17 points above the North Carolina state average of 76, and above the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

For residents and prospective homebuyers in Durham, North Carolina, drinking water is supplied by a single system. Situated in a southeastern landscape of Piedmont and coastal plains characterized by growing urban centers and agriculture, this large city consistently delivers excellent water quality. This strong track record means local households can trust their tap water's safety without the common worries that often affect expanding metropolitan areas. Successfully managing safety under these regional environmental demands highlights a highly reliable public infrastructure.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our North Carolina water quality rankings report →

Key Contaminants

Chloramine Violation
9.2294 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Barium Violation
3.4595 / 2 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 2 mg/L
Nitrite
0.972 / 1 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 1 mg/L
Arsenic
9.3305 / 10 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 10 μg/L
Radium-226
3.2449 / 5 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 5 pCi/L
Atrazine
0.9642 / 3 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 3 μg/L
Fluoride
1.129 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Chlorine
0.5424 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L

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Water Systems Serving Durham (1)

Related

Compare Durham water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality