Tap Water Results

Is Salisbury, 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 Salisbury-Rowan Water System.

15 public water systems serve parts of Salisbury. The largest, Salisbury-Rowan Water System, serves 46,156 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Salisbury-Rowan Water System

46,156 people · Surface water · EPA ID NC0180010

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: 13 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Near 2027 action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

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.

Salisbury homes and lead pipes

55%
of homes built before 1980 (North Carolina 34%, US 50%)
20%
built before 1950 (North Carolina 8%)
48%
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 Salisbury city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Salisbury

  • Westwood MHP & S/D
    638 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Northeast Rowan County Water System
    471 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Fisherman`s Cove Water System
    359 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Lead near 2027 level
  • Old Farm Development Water System
    213 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Oakland Meadows MHP
    173 people · Purchased surface water · North Carolina · lists this city
    Uranium violations
  • Fairfield Acres Water System
    158 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
8 more systems
  • Windmill Ridge S/D Water System
    140 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Crestview S/D Water System
    135 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Pine Meadows S/D Water System
    104 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Mobil Lodge MHP
    94 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Hickory Lane MHP
    83 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Green Acres MHP
    71 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Coliform bacteria violation
  • Kimberly Court Water System
    69 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Bethaven Water System
    66 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Kannapolis 16 mi
City of Kannapolis
City of KannapolisNone above limits0 ppb
Mooresville 20 mi
Town of Mooresville
Town of MooresvilleNone above limits0 ppb
Concord 21 mi
City of Concord
City of ConcordAbove limit0 ppb
Statesville 23 mi
City of Statesville
City of StatesvilleNone above limits0 ppb
Cornelius 26 mi
Charlotte Water
Charlotte WaterNone above limits0 ppb
Thomasville 27 mi
City of Thomasville
City of ThomasvilleNone above limits0 ppb
Salisbury ZIP codes (1)
  • 28144

Questions

Is Salisbury tap water safe to drink?

Salisbury-Rowan Water System had 1 health-based violation 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 Salisbury, NC?

15 public water systems serve parts of Salisbury. The largest is Salisbury-Rowan Water System (46,156 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Salisbury tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Salisbury-Rowan Water System 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 Salisbury homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 55% of Salisbury 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. Salisbury-Rowan 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.