# Wilmington, NC — Drinking Water Quality (2024)

> Contaminant levels for the Wilmington, NC public water system from its 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, compared to federal limits.

- Page: https://www.thewatermap.com/water/nc/wilmington/2024
- JSON API: https://www.thewatermap.com/api/water/nc/wilmington/2024
- Source: the utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- Verification: transcribed by a model, cross-checked by a second model, approved before publishing
- Reporting year: 2024
- Contaminants measured: 38
- Contaminants with a federal limit: 9
- Contaminants at or above the federal limit: 1
- Part of The Water Map — https://www.thewatermap.com

## Contaminants measured

| Contaminant | Category | Measured level | Sampling context | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | Disinfectants | 0.35–2.2 mg/L (Range) | System-wide | 4 mg/L (MCLG) | Within the limit |
| Bromate | Disinfection byproducts | 0–0.39 ug/L (Range) | System-wide | 0 ug/L (MCLG) | Detected — no federal limit |
| Fluoride | Inorganic chemicals | 0.1–0.66 mg/L (Range) | System-wide | 4 mg/L (MCLG) | Within the limit |
| Boron | Metals | 50.2 (Running annual avg) | System-wide | 80 (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Copper | Metals | 90 mg/L (Reported level) | Reporting Basis | 1.3 mg/L (MCLG) | At or above the limit |
| Lead | Metals | 90 ug/L (Reported level) | Reporting Basis | 0 ug/L (MCLG) | Detected — no federal limit |
| Lithium | Metals | 2.76 ug/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | Microbial | 0 (Reported level) | System-wide | 0 (MCLG) | None detected |
| 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0.09 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 2.11 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0.546 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0.277 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0.739 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0.396 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorononanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0.086 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0.515 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Not detected ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | None detected |
| PFBA | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 1.21 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFOA | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0.578 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFOS | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0.677 ng/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| TOC | Physical & aggregate | 2.13 (Reported level) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Turbidity | Physical & aggregate | 0.19 NTU (Reported level) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 1.43 pCi/L (Reported level) | System-wide | 0 pCi/L (MCLG) | Detected — no federal limit |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 6.29 pCi/L (Reported level) | System-wide | 0 pCi/L (MCLG) | Detected — no federal limit |

## What these contaminants are

- **Chlorine** — A disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. Effective and necessary, but high residual levels can cause taste and odor issues; the EPA caps the residual disinfectant level.
- **Bromate** — A disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. Classified as a probable human carcinogen; the EPA sets a strict maximum contaminant level.
- **Fluoride** — A mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. Beneficial at low levels, but long-term exposure above the federal limit can cause bone disease and tooth mottling.
- **Boron** — A naturally occurring element from rock and soil. No enforceable federal limit; the EPA has issued a health advisory level.
- **Copper** — A metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. Short-term exposure causes stomach distress; long-term exposure can damage the liver and kidneys.
- **Lead** — A toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. There is no safe level of lead; it harms brain development in children and raises blood pressure in adults. The EPA sets an action level, not a health goal above zero.
- **Lithium** — A naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. No enforceable federal limit; on the EPA contaminant candidate list for further study.
- **Escherichia coli (E. coli)** — Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. Its presence in drinking water indicates fecal contamination and a real risk of waterborne illness.
- **11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)** — 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. Monitored under EPA rules as part of broad PFAS surveillance.
- **4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)** — ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. Monitored under EPA rules as part of broad PFAS surveillance.
- **9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)** — 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. Monitored under EPA rules as part of broad PFAS surveillance.
- **Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid** — HFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. Regulated by the EPA at 10 parts per trillion and included in the PFAS Hazard Index.
- **N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)** — N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. Monitored under EPA rules as part of broad PFAS surveillance.
- **N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)** — N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. Monitored under EPA rules as part of broad PFAS surveillance.
- **Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid** — Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. Monitored under EPA rules as part of broad PFAS surveillance.
- **Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)** — Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. Monitored under EPA rules as part of broad PFAS surveillance.
- **Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)** — Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. Monitored under EPA rules as part of broad PFAS surveillance.
- **Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)** — Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. Monitored under EPA rules as part of broad PFAS surveillance.
- **Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid** — Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Has no standalone limit but is part of the EPA PFAS Hazard Index that limits PFAS in combination.
- **Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)** — Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent and bioaccumulative.
- **Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)** — Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent and bioaccumulative.
- **Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)** — Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment.
- **Perfluoroheptanoic acid** — Perfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment.
- **Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid** — Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' Regulated by the EPA at 10 parts per trillion and included in the PFAS Hazard Index.
- **Perfluorohexanoic acid** — Perfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent and widely detected.
- **Perfluorononanoic acid** — Perfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' Regulated by the EPA at 10 parts per trillion and included in the PFAS Hazard Index.
- **Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)** — Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment.
- **Perfluoropentanoic acid** — Perfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment.
- **Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)** — Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent and bioaccumulative.
- **Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)** — Perfluorotridecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent and bioaccumulative.
- **Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)** — Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent and bioaccumulative.
- **PFBA** — Perfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment and the human body.
- **PFOA** — Perfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. Linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.
- **PFOS** — Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. Linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.
- **TOC** — Total organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. Not harmful itself, but it is the raw material that forms disinfection byproducts; removal is a treatment requirement.
- **Turbidity** — A measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. High turbidity can shelter microbes from disinfection; the EPA enforces it through a treatment-technique standard.
- **Combined Radium** — Combined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. Long-term exposure above the federal limit increases the risk of bone cancer.
- **Gross Alpha** — Gross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. Long-term exposure above the federal limit increases cancer risk.

## How to read this

- A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
- 'Federal limit' is the EPA standard (MCL, action level, treatment technique, etc.) that the measured level is compared against.
- 'At or above the federal limit' means the utility's own reported figure met or exceeded that standard.

_Figures are the utility's own published numbers. Generated 2026-05-25 from thewatermap.com._