Is Goldsboro, 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 Wayne Water Districts. 1 PFAS were detected below the limits.

8 public water systems serve parts of Goldsboro. The largest, Wayne Water Districts, serves 39,403 people, and 2 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Wayne Water Districts

39,403 people · Groundwater · EPA ID NC0496065

Buys treated water from Deep Run Water Corporation, Town of Mount Olive, Fork Township Sanitary District, Johnston County – East.

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
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: 5

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.

Goldsboro homes and lead pipes

59%

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

12%

built before 1950 (North Carolina 8%)

64%

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 Goldsboro city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Which system serves your ZIP code

Based on the ZIP codes each system reported serving. Boundaries don't follow ZIP lines exactly, so your water bill is the final word.

System	ZIP codes in Goldsboro
Wayne Water Districts 39,403 people	27533
City of Goldsboro 34,959 people	27531

Other water systems serving Goldsboro

City of Goldsboro
34,959 people · Surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
PFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit · 1 health-based violation since 2016
Wayne Water Districts Purchase
16,302 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
PFOA detectedAlso: PFOS detected · 1 health-based violation since 2016
Fork Township Sanitary District
9,572 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
No PFAS above limits
Southern Wayne Sanitary District
7,793 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
PFHxS detected
Seymour Johnson AFB
6,875 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · reported ZIPs here
PFOS above limitAlso: PFOA detected
Fork Township Purchase Water System
3,286 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

1 more systems

Walnut Creek Village Water System
950 people · Purchased groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
Lead near 2027 level

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS
Wilson 24 mi City of Wilson	City of Wilson	None above limits
Clayton 33 mi Town of Clayton	Town of Clayton	None above limits
Greenville 37 mi Greenville Utilities Commission	Greenville Utilities Commission	None above limits
Rocky Mount 42 mi City of Rocky Mount	City of Rocky Mount	Above limit
Garner 42 mi Johnston County – West	Johnston County – West	Above limit
Fuquay-Varina 48 mi Town of Fuquay-Varina	Town of Fuquay-Varina	None above limits

Questions

Is Goldsboro tap water safe to drink?

Wayne Water Districts had 5 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 Goldsboro, NC?

8 public water systems serve parts of Goldsboro. The largest is Wayne Water Districts (39,403 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Goldsboro tap water have PFAS?

Wayne Water Districts had 1 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Goldsboro homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 59% of Goldsboro 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. Wayne Water Districts'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.