Water Quality: Sylva, NC
4 water systems • 7,749 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Sylva is served by 4 public water systems with a combined service population of 7,749 people, and has 112 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 11 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Sylva's violation count is 8% below the national average for North Carolina. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Stage 2 DBP.
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)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
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
Water Systems Serving Sylva
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUCKASEIGEE WATER & SEWER AUTH | NC0150035 | Surface Water | 7,528 | 35 |
| RIVERSIDE APARTMENTS | NC0150192 | Groundwater | 89 | 47 |
| CAROLINA VILLAGE APARTMENTS | NC0150111 | Groundwater | 81 | 13 |
| CAROL`S CABINS | NC0150152 | Groundwater | 51 | 17 |
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.