Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in High Point, NC tap water
51 contaminants were measured in the High Point, NC water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 5 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 51
- Over federal limit
- 5
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Fluoride
- Service area
- NC
- FluorideInorganic chemicals · Reported level5280 mg/Llimit 4 mg/L · 1320.0× the limit
- CopperMetals · 90th percentile705 mg/Llimit 1.3 mg/L · 542.3× the limit
- TTHMDisinfection byproducts · Maximum111 ug/Llimit 80 ug/L · 1.4× the limit
- pHPhysical & aggregate · Range6.2–9limit 6.5 · 1.4× the limit
- HAA5Disinfection byproducts · Maximum78 ug/Llimit 60 ug/L · 1.3× the limit
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
2 PFAS compounds above EPA limits in High Point, NC
The EPA finalized the first-ever federal drinking-water limits for six PFAS compounds in April 2024. These numbers come straight from EPA's UCMR5 lab dataset — every U.S. system serving more than 3,300 people tested every PFAS sample at an entry point to its distribution system. PFAS not listed below were either tested and not detected, or not yet sampled.
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
● Over EPA limit (2.8×)near national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
● Over EPA limit (1.1×)below national p90 (13.649999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Below limitnear national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBS
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (13.909999999999979 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
High Point, NC's drinking water comes from surface water, drawn from 2 sources.
Source
- CITY LAKE
- OAK HOLLOW LAKE
Treatment
- TREATMENT_PLT_F L WARD FPLANT
Distribution
Also buys water from GREENSBORO, CITY OF, DAVIDSON WATER INC, and 2 more.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
2 contaminants historically over EPA limits in High Point, NC
Every U.S. public water system reports compliance-monitoring data to EPA. The Six-Year Review releases the 2012–2019 window as a single dataset — here's what your system reported, year by year. Values shown are the highest detection per analyte per year, compared to the federal MCL.
| Contaminant | Worst detection | EPA limit | Years (2012–2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
TTHM worst: 2016 | 0.096 mg/L 1.2× | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
HAA5 worst: 2017 | 0.069 mg/L 1.2× | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2017 | 0.8 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '12'13'15'16'17'18'19 |
MBAA worst: 2012 | 0.004 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
COPPER worst: 2012 | 0.296 mg/L below national p90 | — | '12'15'18 |
LEAD worst: 2012 | 0.006 mg/L | — | '12'15'18 |
DBAA worst: 2012 | 0.001 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'18'19 |
DCAA worst: 2012 | 0.019 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
MCAA worst: 2013 | 0.007 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'17'18'19 |
TCAA worst: 2012 | 0.019 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.015 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2012 | 0.002 mg/L | — | '12'13 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.048 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.003 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 6.2–9RangeSystem-wide | 6.5MCL | At or above the limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 1.26Running annual avgSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.21 NTUReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChloramineA longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. | 2.7 mg/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMRDLG | Within the limit |
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1.85 mg/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMRDLG | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 20 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 250 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Asbestos | Not detected MFLReported levelSystem-wide | 7 MFLMCLG | None detected |
| Cyanide | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 200 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | Not detected mg/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCLG | None detected |
| NitriteA compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. | Not detected mg/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 1 mg/LMCLG | None detected |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antimony | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 6 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 2 mg/LMCLG | None detected |
| Beryllium | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 4 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Cadmium | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 5 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 100 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | Not detected mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0.3 mg/LMCL | None detected |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | Not detected mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0.05 mg/LMCL | None detected |
| MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 2 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 50 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Thallium | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0.5 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 13.3 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 0Reported levelNumber of Positive/Present Samples | 0MCLG | None detected |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | Not detected pCi/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | None detected |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | Not detected pCi/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | None detected |
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | Not detected pCi/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | None detected |
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | Not detected pCi/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | None detected |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AtrazineA widely used agricultural herbicide that reaches water through runoff. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 3 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Benzene | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | Not detected ng/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ng/LMCLG | None detected |
| Dalapon | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 200 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| DBCP1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane — a banned soil fumigant pesticide. | Not detected ng/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ng/LMCLG | None detected |
| Dichloromethane | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Ethylbenzene | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 700 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Ethylene dibromide | Not detected ng/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ng/LMCLG | None detected |
| Simazine | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 4 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| TetrachloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Toluene | Not detected mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 1 mg/LMCLG | None detected |
| TrichloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (TCE) used in metal degreasing. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| XylenesA group of industrial solvents found in gasoline and paint. | Not detected mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCLG | None detected |
People also ask about High Point, NC's water
+Is High Point, NC tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the High Point, NC water utility lists 5 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Fluoride, Copper, TTHM, pH, and HAA5. 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 High Point, NC tap water?
51 contaminants were measured in High Point, NC's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, vocs & pesticides, and inorganic chemicals. 42 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 High Point, NC tap water?
5 contaminants in High Point, NC's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: Fluoride (1320.0× the limit); Copper (542.3× the limit); TTHM (1.4× the limit); pH (1.4× the limit); HAA5 (1.3× 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 High Point, NC tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Fluoride, at 1320.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the inorganic chemicals family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from High Point, 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 High Point, 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.