Tap Water Results

Is Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem.

2 public water systems serve parts of Winston-Salem. The largest, City of Winston-Salem, serves 391,900 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Winston-Salem

391,900 people · Surface water · EPA ID NC0234010

Buys treated water from Davidson Water Inc.

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 City of Winston-Salem 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.

Winston-Salem homes and lead pipes

48%
of homes built before 1980 (North Carolina 34%, US 50%)
12%
built before 1950 (North Carolina 8%)
44%
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 Winston-Salem city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Winston-Salem

  • Country Club Annex Water System
    38 people · Groundwater · North Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Kernersville 10 mi
City of Winston-Salem
City of Winston-SalemNone above limits0 ppb
High Point 17 mi
City of High Point
City of High PointAbove limit0 ppb
Thomasville 18 mi
City of Thomasville
City of ThomasvilleNone above limits0 ppb
Greensboro 24 mi
City of Greensboro
City of GreensboroAbove limit0 ppb
Salisbury 33 mi
Salisbury-Rowan Water System
Salisbury-Rowan Water SystemNone above limits13 ppb
Asheboro 37 mi
City of Asheboro
City of AsheboroAbove limit0 ppb
Winston-Salem ZIP codes (9)
  • 27101
  • 27103
  • 27104
  • 27105
  • 27106
  • 27107
  • 27109
  • 27110
  • 27127

Questions

Is Winston-Salem tap water safe to drink?

City of Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem, NC?

2 public water systems serve parts of Winston-Salem. The largest is City of Winston-Salem (391,900 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Winston-Salem tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 48% of Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem'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.