Tap Water Results

Is Leland, NC tap water safe?

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

Summary

Brunswick County Water System, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

3 public water systems serve parts of Leland. The largest, Brunswick County Water System, serves 151,357 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Brunswick County Water System

151,357 people · Surface water · EPA ID NC0410045

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
4.95 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
Above limit
9.18 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Detected, below limit
3.17 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Detected, below limit
1.45 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit

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.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 85% of the North Carolina systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 88% of the North Carolina systems EPA tested.

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: 1

Full Brunswick County Water System 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.

Leland homes and lead pipes

6%
of homes built before 1980 (North Carolina 34%, US 50%)
1%
built before 1950 (North Carolina 8%)
19%
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. How to check your own line.

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

Other water systems serving Leland

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Wilmington 8 mi
CFPUA-Wilmington
CFPUA-WilmingtonNone above limits0 ppb
Jacksonville 51 mi
Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Onslow Water and Sewer AuthorityNone above limits0 ppb
Goldsboro 80 mi
Wayne Water Districts
Wayne Water DistrictsNone above limits0 ppb
Fayetteville 80 mi
Fayetteville Public Works Commission
Fayetteville Public Works CommissionAbove limit0 ppb
New Bern 82 mi
City of New Bern
City of New BernNone above limits0 ppb
Clayton 102 mi
Town of Clayton
Town of ClaytonNone above limits0 ppb
Leland ZIP codes (1)
  • 28451

Questions

Is Leland tap water safe to drink?

Brunswick County Water System had 1 health-based violation since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. 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 Leland, NC?

3 public water systems serve parts of Leland. The largest is Brunswick County Water System (151,357 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Leland tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at Brunswick County Water System. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Leland homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 6% of Leland 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. Brunswick County Water System'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.