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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Comprehensive water safety analysis • Updated April 2026
Durham's water meets EPA standards, though 0 contaminant(s) are elevated above 50% of limits.
•All 4 historical violation(s) in Durham have been resolved.
Generally Safe. Durham's tap water meets EPA standards. Score: 88/100.
Want to understand your score better? Learn how scores are calculated →
1 contaminants tested • EPA SDWIS data • Click any contaminant for details
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 0.0% | Safe |
In-depth assessment of your municipal water supply
The water quality in Durham, North Carolina has been comprehensively evaluated using data from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and local water utility reports. Our analysis examines 1 distinct contaminants across multiple categories including inorganic chemicals, disinfection byproducts, microorganisms, and radionuclides. With an overall quality score of 88 out of 100 (Grade: A-), Durham's water supply demonstrates strong compliance with federal drinking water standards.
Durham's primary water system, DURHAM, CITY OF, serves approximately 322,083 residents. The water is sourced from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water typically requires more extensive treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to remove sediments, organic matter, and pathogens.
Of the 1 contaminants analyzed in Durham's water supply, 1 (100%) are present at safe levels below 50% of EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). No contaminants currently exceed EPA safety limits. The most common categories of concern in municipal water supplies include disinfection byproducts formed during the chlorination process, heavy metals like lead that can leach from aging infrastructure, and naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic or radium that vary by geographic region.
Durham's water system has a compliance history with 4 documented EPA violations. All historical violations have been addressed and resolved. Violations can range from monitoring and reporting failures to actual exceedances of contaminant limits. Water utilities are required by law to notify customers of any violations that may affect health and to take corrective action to return to compliance.
Water quality at the tap can differ from quality at the treatment plant due to distribution system conditions. Homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or lead solder in plumbing that can contribute to lead exposure. Older galvanized pipes can harbor bacteria and release metals. Running cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or cooking helps flush stagnant water from pipes. Residents in older homes should consider testing their water directly at the tap to assess any additional contamination from household plumbing, as EPA monitoring typically occurs at distribution points rather than individual residences.
Understanding potential health effects for residents
Certain groups face elevated health risks from water contaminants and should take extra precautions. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable as contaminants like lead and nitrates can affect fetal development, potentially causing developmental delays and birth defects. Infants and young children are at heightened risk because their developing bodies absorb contaminants more readily and are more susceptible to their effects; lead exposure in children can cause irreversible cognitive impairment and behavioral problems. Elderly individuals and those with compromised immune systems (including cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, and HIV/AIDS patients) are more susceptible to waterborne pathogens and may experience severe illness from microorganisms that healthy adults can tolerate. Individuals with kidney disease should be aware of fluoride and other mineral levels, as impaired kidney function affects the body's ability to filter these substances.
Lead has been detected in Durham's water supply. There is no safe level of lead exposure. In children, lead can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, weight loss, hearing loss, and seizures. In adults, lead exposure contributes to cardiovascular problems, decreased kidney function, and reproductive issues. Pregnant women exposed to lead can transfer it to their developing fetus, increasing risk of premature birth and reduced growth. Use an NSF 53 certified filter and run cold water before drinking to reduce exposure.
Based on Durham's water quality profile, residents should consider the following protective measures: While water quality is generally good, filtration remains beneficial for removing trace contaminants. Always use cold water for drinking and cooking, as hot water can contain higher levels of metals from pipes. Have your home tested if it was built before 1986 to check for lead plumbing. Review your annual Consumer Confidence Report (water quality report) from your utility to stay informed about local water quality trends. Pregnant women, families with young children, and immunocompromised individuals should consult healthcare providers about water safety precautions specific to their situation.
Based on detected contaminants
Best for Durham. Removes 95-99% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and nitrates.
Good for Durham. Removes chlorine, improves taste, and filters many organic compounds.
Lead detected in Durham. Ensure any filter is NSF/ANSI 53 certified for lead removal.
Past violations for Durham's water system
other
E. coli - 2/11/2023
Resolvedother
Lead and Copper Rule - 7/1/2021
Resolvedother
Lead and Copper Rule - 7/1/2020
Resolvedother
Turbidity - 6/1/2018
ResolvedDurham Water Quality Score
Based on EPA contaminant data and compliance records
Even with good water quality, many families choose to filter their water for extra peace of mind.
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Explore detailed information about each contaminant detected in Durham's water:
View All Contaminants →Find the right filter for your Durham water quality needs:
Understand the contaminants that may be present in Durham's water supply and their health effects.
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.
Durham's drinking water is managed by DURHAM, CITY OF, which serves approximately 322,083 residents through surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Our analysis of 1 tested contaminants reveals a quality score of 88/100, placing Durham above average compared to other North Carolina cities.
Durham's water quality is strong across all tested parameters, with all contaminants well within EPA safety limits. This reflects effective water treatment and well-maintained infrastructure.
Durham's water system has 4 documented EPA violations in its compliance history. All have since been resolved, indicating the utility has addressed past issues. Compliance history is one of the factors in our scoring methodology.
This report is based on data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database. Our scoring algorithm weighs contaminant analysis (50%), compliance history (30%), and infrastructure factors (20%). Data is sourced directly from public EPA records and Consumer Confidence Reports. We are an independent resource with no affiliation to water utilities or government agencies. Learn more about our methodology.
Yes, Durham's tap water generally meets EPA safety standards with a quality score of 88/100 (Grade A-). However, individual home conditions may vary.
Durham's water has been tested for 1 contaminants. All tested contaminants are within safe limits.
Based on Durham's water quality profile, we recommend a reverse osmosis system for the most comprehensive filtration. View our water filter comparison for recommendations.
Durham's primary water system (DURHAM, CITY OF) sources water from surface water such as rivers or reservoirs, serving 322,083 residents.