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

Is Raleigh tap water safe to drink?

⚠ Caution Advised
D

Use extra caution — Raleigh scores 42/100.

Safety Score
42
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Raleigh?

Read Decision Guide →

Raleigh

North Carolina

View North Carolina state report Verified: Apr 2026

Is Raleigh tap water safe to drink?

Use extra caution — Raleigh scores 42/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 2 local systems in Raleigh. We found 6 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 02:45 PM
0mm Precipitation

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

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 Raleigh?

Requirement Status
Recommended
🟡
💡

Expert Advice

Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.

Buying a Filter?

Should you buy a water purifier in Raleigh? See our analysis.

Baby Formula Safety

Is Raleigh tap water safe for infants? Critical safety guide.

Homebuyer's Perspective

For those looking to relocate to Raleigh, water quality is a key factor in long-term property maintenance. With a score of 42/100, we recommend budgeting for high-quality point-of-entry filtration systems to protect your home's value.

Property Impact: Requires Mitigation

Health & Family Safety

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

View Health Risk Glossary →

Score Breakdown for Raleigh

EPA Compliance & Violations 60/100
Contaminant Safety Margin 42%

*Scores are calculated using weighted EPA monitoring data from the past 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raleigh tap water safe to drink?

Use extra caution — Raleigh scores 42/100.

How many water systems serve Raleigh?

Raleigh is served by 2 public water systems in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

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

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

What is the water quality score for Raleigh?

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

What are the top contaminants in Raleigh?

The top contaminants detected in Raleigh include Gross Alpha Particle Activity, Nitrate, Selenium. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
42/100
Grade
F
Water Systems
5
Population
645,627

Raleigh Water Quality Summary

Raleigh, NC receives a water quality score of 42/100 (Grade F) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 5 public water systems serving the area.

Raleigh's water quality score is below the national average, indicating a history of EPA violations or elevated contaminant levels. Residents are encouraged to check their specific water system report and consider additional filtration.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology →

Key Contaminants

Gross Alpha Particle Activity Violation
24.735 / 15 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 15 pCi/L
Nitrate
9.898 / 10 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 10 mg/L
Selenium
46.3737 / 50 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 50 μg/L
Uranium
24.92 / 30 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 30 μg/L
Arsenic
6.9806 / 10 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 10 μg/L
Manganese
34.4516 / 50 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 50 μg/L
Chromium (Total)
56.9523 / 100 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 100 μg/L
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
2.359 / 5 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 5 μg/L

Water Systems Serving Raleigh (2)

Related

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