What was found in Raleigh's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 7300 µg/L 73% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Highest in the city: PARRISH MEADOWS S/D · 55 people · 2019 | 50/95 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 7300 µg/L 73% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Highest in the city: PARRISH MEADOWS S/D · 55 people · 2019 | 52/95 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 90.6 µg/L 7% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 3938 µg/L — WILLOW CREEK S/D · 74 people · 2019 | 84/95 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 3439.45 µg/L 172% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 2000 µg/L Highest in the city: STONEHENGE S/D · 1,840 people · 2019 | 9/95 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 780 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 2120 µg/L — FOXMOOR S/D · 203 people · 2018 | 64/95 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 1300 µg/L 130% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 1000 µg/L Highest in the city: NEUSE RIVER VILLAGE MHP · 333 people · 2019 | 5/95 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 54.45 µg/L 363% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 µg/L Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 252.165 µg/L — LYNNHAVEN-CROWSDALE · 650 people · 2019 | 54/95 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 123.238 µg/L 411% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 30 µg/L Highest in the city: TRADEWINDS S/D · 442 people · 2019 | 35/95 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 88.5 pCi/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: TRADEWINDS S/D · 442 people · 2019 | 56/95 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 53.31 µg/L 67% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 57.06 µg/L — DEVONSHIRE S/D · 150 people · 2018 | 55/95 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 41.6 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 55.16 µg/L — DEVONSHIRE S/D · 150 people · 2018 | 39/95 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 11.78 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 39 µg/L — BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2019 | 14/95 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 36.871 µg/L 61% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019 | 18/95 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 36.6 pCi/L 244% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 pCi/L Highest in the city: KNIGHTDALE MHP ESTATES LLC · 285 people · 2019 | 5/95 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 24 µg/L 2.4% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Highest in the city: DEERFIELD PARK S/D · 440 people · 2019 | 5/95 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 23.33 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019 | 20/95 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 16.3 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 1/95 | UCMR-5 |
| Selenium | 13.37 µg/L 27% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2019 | 2/95 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 11 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 12.95 µg/L — CROSS CREEK MHP · 467 people · 2019 | 28/95 | SYR4 |
| Xylenes, Total | 10.605 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2019 | 10/95 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 1 pCi/L 20% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2017
Highest in the city: 8.8755 pCi/L — KNIGHTDALE MHP ESTATES LLC · 285 people · 2019 | 48/95 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 3.36 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 8.2 µg/L — KNIGHTDALE MHP ESTATES LLC · 285 people · 2017 | 3/95 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 6.46 µg/L 65% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Highest in the city: EAGLE CREEK S/D · 223 people · 2019 | 3/95 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 1.4 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 6 µg/L — ROLLING ACRES S/D · 58 people · 2019 | 9/95 | SYR4 |
| Antimony, Total | 5.6 µg/L 93% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L Highest in the city: WOODS OF ASHBURY SD · 144 people · 2019 | 3/95 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 4 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 5.58 µg/L — BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2019 | 24/95 | SYR4 |
| Dalapon | 5.36 µg/L 2.7% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L Highest in the city: GLENDALE MASTER SYSTEM · 633 people · 2019 | 5/95 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 4.505 µg/L 75% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2019 | 3/95 | SYR4 |
| Toxaphene | 4.146 µg/L 138% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 3 µg/L Highest in the city: NEUSE WOODS MH S/D · 287 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 3.44 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: MALLARDS CROSSING S/D · 709 people · 2019 | 9/95 | SYR4 |
| Dichloromethane | 3.107 µg/L 62% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Highest in the city: WATERSTONE RESERVE · 175 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | 2.94 µg/L 59% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Highest in the city: WOODS OF ASHBURY SD · 144 people · 2019 | 4/95 | SYR4 |
| Benzene | 2.77 µg/L 55% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Highest in the city: WAKEFIELD S/D · 408 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| Bromate | 2 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| Thallium, Total | 1 µg/L 50% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 1.66 µg/L — BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2019 | 2/95 | SYR4 |
| Cadmium | 1.51 µg/L 30% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 1.504 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2019 | 2/95 | SYR4 |
| Chlordane | 1.053 µg/L 53% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L Highest in the city: ROYAL ACRES S/D · 61 people · 2019 | 4/95 | SYR4 |
| Ethylbenzene | 0.9090 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 700 µg/L Highest in the city: BIRCH FALLS S/D · 76 people · 2019 | 3/95 | SYR4 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0.7575 µg/L 15% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Highest in the city: HEATHERSTONE WEST S/D · 234 people · 2019 | 2/95 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroethylene | 0.6000 µg/L 12% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Highest in the city: WAKEFIELD S/D · 408 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0.5800 µg/L 12% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| Simazine | 0.2600 µg/L 6.5% of the EPA limit 4 µg/L Highest in the city: STONEHENGE S/D · 1,840 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| Benzo(A)Pyrene | 0.2300 µg/L 115% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 0.2000 µg/L Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| Methoxychlor | 0.1750 µg/L 0.4% of the EPA limit 40 µg/L Highest in the city: ROLLING ACRES S/D · 58 people · 2019 | 1/95 | SYR4 |
| PFHXS | 0.1526 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 1/95 | UCMR-5 |
| Heptachlor Epoxide | 0.1287 µg/L 64% of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L Highest in the city: ROYAL ACRES S/D · 61 people · 2019 | 6/95 | SYR4 |
| Ethylene Dibromide | 0.1033 µg/L 207% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 0.0500 µg/L Highest in the city: TRADEWINDS S/D · 442 people · 2019 | 4/95 | SYR4 |
| Pfpea | 0.0043 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0591 µg/L — BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 2/95 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0042 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0573 µg/L — BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 2/95 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0033 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0396 µg/L — BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 2/95 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfpes | 0.0364 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 1/95 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOS | 0.0056 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0213 µg/L — BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 2/95 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfba | 0.0090 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0178 µg/L — BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 2/95 | UCMR-5 |
| Endrin | 0.0170 µg/L 0.9% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L Highest in the city: NEUSE WOODS MH S/D · 287 people · 2019 | 2/95 | SYR4 |
| Pfhpa | 0.0137 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 1/95 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOA | 0.0104 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: BAYLEAF MASTER · 16,715 people · 2025 | 1/95 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0 mg/L 0% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: RALEIGH, CITY OF · 650,000 people · 2025
Highest in the city: 0.0100 mg/L — NEUSE WOODS MH S/D · 287 people · 2025 | 95/95 | LCR |
Each bar shows the measured level as a share of the EPA limit: green is
well under, amber is close to it, red is over. For lead and copper the
limit applies to exactly the 90th-percentile figure shown, so red there
means a real exceedance. For everything else the limit applies to a
running annual average while the figure is the 95th percentile of the
system's samples — over 100% is worth reading, but is not by itself a
violation.
Formal violations are listed separately.
These are the utilities' own EPA-reported results, not a city-wide
average. A detection means the lab measured the
substance — it isn't the same as exceeding a legal limit. Hover a source
tag to see the EPA program and years behind each figure.
Water suppliers serving Raleigh
The 50 largest of 95 suppliers serving Raleigh, by population served.
Frequently asked questions about Raleigh tap water
Is Raleigh tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 58 contaminants in the water serving Raleigh. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Raleigh?
95 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Raleigh, North Carolina to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Raleigh's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Raleigh include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, Barium, Fluoride. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.