Tap Water Results

Is New Bern, 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 City of New Bern.

2 public water systems serve parts of New Bern. The largest, City of New Bern, serves 37,884 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of New Bern

37,884 people · Groundwater · EPA ID NC0425010

Buys treated water from Craven County Water System.

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 (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.

New Bern homes and lead pipes

35%
of homes built before 1980 (North Carolina 34%, US 50%)
14%
built before 1950 (North Carolina 8%)
40%
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 New Bern city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving New Bern

  • Craven County Water System
    37,848 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    No PFAS above limitsAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Jacksonville 31 mi
Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Onslow Water and Sewer AuthorityNone above limits0 ppb
Greenville 39 mi
Greenville Utilities Commission
Greenville Utilities CommissionNone above limits0 ppb
Goldsboro 54 mi
Wayne Water Districts
Wayne Water DistrictsNone above limits0 ppb
Wilson 65 mi
City of Wilson
City of WilsonNone above limits0 ppb
Rocky Mount 73 mi
City of Rocky Mount
City of Rocky MountAbove limit0 ppb
Wilmington 77 mi
CFPUA-Wilmington
CFPUA-WilmingtonNone above limits0 ppb
New Bern ZIP codes (1)
  • 28562

Questions

Is New Bern tap water safe to drink?

City of New Bern 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 New Bern, NC?

2 public water systems serve parts of New Bern. The largest is City of New Bern (37,884 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does New Bern tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of New Bern had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do New Bern homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 35% of New Bern 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. City of New Bern'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.