Water Quality: Salisbury, NC
7 water systems • 52,758 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Salisbury is served by 7 public water systems with a combined service population of 52,758 people, and has 102 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 15 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Salisbury's violation count is 16% below the national average for North Carolina. Contaminants associated with violations include Contaminant 2920, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Stage 2 DBP, TTHM.
Contaminants Found
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Salisbury
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SALISBURY-ROWAN | NC0180010 | Surface Water | 45,329 | 8 |
| CHINA GROVE, TOWN OF | NC0180040 | Surface Water | 4,895 | 9 |
| EAST SPENCER, TOWN OF | NC0180060 | Surface Water | 1,550 | 7 |
| NORTHEAST ROWAN COUNTY WATER SYSTEM | NC2080082 | Surface Water | 471 | 2 |
| FISHERMAN`S COVE WATER SYSTEM | NC0180111 | Groundwater | 359 | 39 |
| HICKORY LANE MHP | NC0180425 | Groundwater | 83 | 10 |
| GREEN ACRES MHP | NC0180201 | Groundwater | 71 | 27 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in North Carolina
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.