Tap Water Results

Is Cornelius, NC tap water safe?

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

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Charlotte Water. 2 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of Cornelius. The largest, Charlotte Water, serves 1.2 million people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Charlotte Water

1.2 million people · Surface water · EPA ID NC0160010

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot 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 (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Charlotte Water results

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.

Cornelius homes and lead pipes

8%
of homes built before 1980 (North Carolina 34%, US 50%)
2%
built before 1950 (North Carolina 8%)
31%
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. Charlotte Water's service line inventory lists 0 lead lines and 66 galvanized lines that need replacing (as of 2024-10-14). Look up your address. 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 Cornelius town (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Cornelius

  • Bahia Bay S/D Water System
    350 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Huntersville 5 mi
Charlotte Water
Charlotte WaterNone above limits0 ppb
Mooresville 8 mi
Town of Mooresville
Town of MooresvilleNone above limits0 ppb
Kannapolis 14 mi
City of Kannapolis
City of KannapolisNone above limits0 ppb
Concord 15 mi
City of Concord
City of ConcordAbove limit0 ppb
Charlotte 18 mi
Charlotte Water
Charlotte WaterNone above limits0 ppb
Statesville 21 mi
City of Statesville
City of StatesvilleNone above limits0 ppb
Cornelius ZIP codes (1)
  • 28031

Questions

Is Cornelius tap water safe to drink?

Charlotte Water 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 Cornelius, NC?

2 public water systems serve parts of Cornelius. The largest is Charlotte Water (1.2 million people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Cornelius tap water have PFAS?

Charlotte Water had 2 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Cornelius homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 8% of Cornelius 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. Charlotte Water's service line inventory lists 0 lead lines. 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.