F0/100

PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES — Water Quality Report 2026

Serving 31,600 people · North Carolina

Water Source
Surface Water
County
System ID
NC7071011
Violations
37

Contaminant Test Results

2 contaminants above EPA health goals
ContaminantDetectedLimit (MCL)Status
1,4-dioxane
1.09 µg/LAbove Goal
Lead (90th percentile)
0.004 mg/L0.015 mg/LAbove Goal

EPA Violation History

17

Violations (last 5yr)

2

Unresolved

12

Health-Related

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: July 28, 2025 – August 1, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Unresolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: April 25, 2024 – May 1, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Exceeded the MCL for disinfection byproducts

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2024 – October 9, 2024Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued

Understanding violation severity

Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly

Frequently Asked Questions About PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES

Is PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES water safe to drink?

PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 37 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.

What contaminants has PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES detected?

69 contaminants were tested in PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile), 1,4-dioxane. No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 2 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).

Does PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES have any EPA violations?

Yes, PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES has 37 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2025. Violation types include Other, MCL, MR. 17 are health-based violations.

How many people does PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES serve?

PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES serves approximately 31,600 people, North Carolina. The system provides water to 1 community: Burgaw.

What type of water does PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES provide?

PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES sources its water from surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is NC7071011.

How does PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES compare to other utilities in North Carolina?

PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES scores 0/100 with a grade of F (failing). This score suggests significant water quality concerns relative to other utilities. Visit our North Carolina state page for a full comparison of water systems.

Cities Served