Is Clayton, NC tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Town of Clayton. 5 PFAS were detected below the limits.

21 public water systems serve parts of Clayton. The largest, Town of Clayton, serves 30,876 people, and 2 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Town of Clayton

30,876 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID NC0351020

Buys treated water from Johnston County – West.

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA One sample above limit	–	4 ppt	One sample above limit
PFOS One sample above limit	–	4 ppt	One sample above limit
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across North Carolina, 66 of 285 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 5 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. North Carolina results.

Clayton homes and lead pipes

10%

of homes built before 1980 (North Carolina 34%, US 50%)

built before 1950 (North Carolina 8%)

37%

of households rent (North Carolina 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Clayton town (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Clayton

Flowers Plantation
12,809 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
PFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit · PFHxS detected
Town of Clayton – North
4,703 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Winston Pointe S/D Water System
1,326 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Southhills Southwoods SD Water System
716 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Riverwood S/D Water System
553 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
White Oak Plantation
521 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

14 more systems

Creekstone S/D Water System
505 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Willowbrook Development Water System
432 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
South Plantation S/D
357 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Ole Mill Stream S/D Water System
325 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Lead near 2027 level
Stephanie Woods S/D Water System
245 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Winston Plantation
229 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Neuse Colony S/D Section B Water System
190 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Dutchess Downs Mh S/D Water System
185 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Southgate S/D Water System
160 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
PFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit
Southfort S/D Water System
125 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Deerfield S/D Water System
120 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Heather Downs Mh S/D Water System
112 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Shadow Lakes S/D Water System
99 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Albany Acres S/D Water System
81 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS
Garner 10 mi Johnston County – West	Johnston County – West	Above limit
Raleigh 16 mi City of Raleigh	City of Raleigh	None above limits
Fuquay-Varina 18 mi Town of Fuquay-Varina	Town of Fuquay-Varina	None above limits
Holly Springs 22 mi Town of Holly Springs	Town of Holly Springs	Above limit
Cary 23 mi Town of Cary	Town of Cary	None above limits
Wake Forest 24 mi City of Raleigh	City of Raleigh	None above limits

Clayton ZIP codes (1)

27520

Questions

Is Clayton tap water safe to drink?

Town of Clayton has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Clayton, NC?

21 public water systems serve parts of Clayton. The largest is Town of Clayton (30,876 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Clayton tap water have PFAS?

Town of Clayton had 5 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Clayton homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 10% of Clayton homes as built before 1980 (North Carolina: 34%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Town of Clayton's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.