Drinking water quality · 2024
What's in Greensboro, NC tap water
18 contaminants were measured in the Greensboro, NC water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 18
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 3
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- NC
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 18.1 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | At or above the limit |
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 3.65 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Approaching the limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 9.1 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Approaching the limit |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 2.4 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 1.87 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 5.22 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 5 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 4.15 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 59 ug/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Approaching the limit |
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 61 ug/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChloramineA longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. | 2.1 mg/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMRDLG | Within the limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.38 NTUReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 1.2Running annual avgSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.18 mg/L90th percentileSystem-wide | 1.3 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | Not detected ug/L90th percentileSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.55 mg/LMaximumSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalapon | 0.0017 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 200 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 4Reported levelNumber of Positive/ Present Samples | 0MCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Greensboro, NC's water
+Is Greensboro, NC tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Greensboro, NC water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: PFOS. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Greensboro, NC tap water?
18 contaminants were measured in Greensboro, NC's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning pfas ("forever chemicals"), disinfection byproducts, and metals. 6 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Greensboro, NC tap water?
One contaminant in Greensboro, NC's 2024 report sits at or above the federal limit: PFOS (4.5× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Greensboro, NC tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is PFOS, at 4.5× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Greensboro, NC tap water approaching the federal limit?
3 contaminants are between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: HAA5, PFOA, and Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Greensboro, NC's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Greensboro, NC's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.