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Charlotte Water

Charlotte, NC · serves 1,110,356 · Surface waterNC0160010
All clear
All monitored contaminants within federal limits. Last updated from the most recent CCR and EPA monitoring data available.
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Measured in your 2024 water report
From your utility's Consumer Confidence Report · 34 contaminants tested
Above limit
Approaching limit
Within limits
Regulated contaminants — legally enforceable limits
Atrazine▸
0.0000091 mg/L
Reference: MCL
Federal Maximum Contaminant Level. The legally enforceable EPA drinking-water standard.
What is it?
One of the most widely used agricultural herbicides in the US. Enters groundwater and surface water from cropland runoff, especially in the Midwest corn belt.
Why it matters
The MCL of 0.003 mg/L protects against cardiovascular and reproductive effects. Atrazine is also an endocrine disruptor at very low levels.
What to do
Activated carbon filters can reduce atrazine. If you're in an agricultural area with detections near the MCL, a point-of-use filter is good protection.
Chromium▸
0.0001 mg/L
Reference: MCL
Federal Maximum Contaminant Level. The legally enforceable EPA drinking-water standard.
What is it?
A metal found naturally in rocks, soil, and volcanic dust. Total chromium includes both chromium-3 (essential nutrient) and chromium-6 (the "Erin Brockovich" contaminant).
Why it matters
The federal MCL of 0.1 mg/L covers total chromium. Most health concern is specifically about chromium-6, which has no federal MCL but is monitored in some states.
What to do
If total chromium is well below the MCL, no action needed. If you want to know the chromium-6 level specifically, check if your utility tests for it separately.
Fluoride▸
0.74 mg/L
Reference: MCL
Federal Maximum Contaminant Level. The legally enforceable EPA drinking-water standard.
What is it?
Naturally occurring mineral, also added to many water systems to prevent tooth decay. The MCL (4 mg/L) is much higher than the typical added amount (0.7 mg/L).
Why it matters
At levels near the MCL, long-term exposure can cause skeletal fluorosis (bone pain and tenderness). The secondary standard of 2 mg/L triggers a required public notice about dental fluorosis risk in children.
What to do
Levels below 2 mg/L are within the range considered safe. If above 2 mg/L, children under 9 may be at risk for dental fluorosis — talk to your pediatric dentist.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found lower IQ in children and potential thyroid disruption at concentrations as low as 1.5 mg/L — 3x below the US federal limit.
Perchlorate▸
0.07 µg/L
Reference: CA notification
California state notification level. Not federally enforced. Provided as a public-health reference where no federal MCL exists.
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Simazine▸
0.000029 mg/L
Reference: MCL
Federal Maximum Contaminant Level. The legally enforceable EPA drinking-water standard.
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Disinfection byproducts
BCAA▸
3.8 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
BDCAA▸
1.7 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
HAA5▸
21.7 µg/L
Reference: MCL
Federal Maximum Contaminant Level. The legally enforceable EPA drinking-water standard.
What is it?
Another group of disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. HAA5 measures the five most common species.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 60 µg/L (0.060 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk. Like THMs, the MCL is based on a running annual average.
What to do
Activated carbon filters can reduce HAA5. If your system consistently approaches the limit, a reverse osmosis filter provides more complete removal.
TTHM▸
64 µg/L
Reference: MCL
Federal Maximum Contaminant Level. The legally enforceable EPA drinking-water standard.
What is it?
Formed when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with natural organic matter. Includes chloroform, bromoform, and related compounds. The trade-off: disinfection prevents waterborne disease, but creates these byproducts.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 80 µg/L (0.080 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk and possible reproductive effects. The MCL is based on a running annual average, not a single sample.
What to do
If your system is near or above the limit, an activated carbon filter (including pitcher filters like Brita) can reduce THMs. Running water for a minute before drinking also helps, as THMs are volatile and dissipate.
PFAS
PFBA▸
2.4 ng/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
PFHxA▸
2.2 ng/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
PFPeA▸
2.3 ng/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Disinfectants — MRDL
Chlorine▸
1.06 mg/L
Reference: MRDL
Federal Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level. Legally enforceable EPA limit on residual disinfectant concentration in distributed water.
What is it?
Added intentionally to kill bacteria and viruses. A chlorine residual in your tap water means the disinfection is still active through the distribution system — this is by design.
Why it matters
The MRDL of 4 mg/L is the maximum allowed. Typical levels are 0.5–2 mg/L. Chlorine at normal levels is not a health concern — the disease risk from untreated water is far greater.
What to do
If you don't like the taste, let water sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes or use an activated carbon filter. Both remove chlorine taste and odor.
WHO recommendation
Manganese▸
0.0077 mg/L
Reference: WHO guideline
World Health Organization drinking-water guideline. International guidance, not legally enforced in the US.
What is it?
A naturally occurring metal that enters water through eroding rocks and soils, and occasionally from industrial sources. Common in groundwater, especially in some regions of the Midwest and Northeast.
Why it matters
Manganese is essential in small amounts but a developmental neurotoxin at higher exposures. Studies have linked manganese in drinking water to attention and learning difficulties in children, including ADHD, with effects detectable at levels below the EPA's aesthetic standard of 0.05 mg/L. The WHO sets a provisional health-based guideline of 0.08 mg/L; some researchers argue this should be lower. Infants drinking formula made with manganese-rich water may be particularly exposed. EPA's 0.05 mg/L secondary standard exists to prevent black or brown staining on laundry and fixtures — not as a health protection.
What to do
If manganese is at or near WHO's 0.08 mg/L guideline, a reverse osmosis filter certified to NSF/ANSI 58 removes most manganese. Activated carbon and standard pitcher filters do not effectively remove dissolved manganese. For infant formula preparation, parents in areas with detectable manganese may want to use filtered or bottled water — this is what MDH (Minnesota) and several other state health departments now recommend.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found increased ADHD risk and lower IQ in children, with effects observed in a dose-response pattern from <5 µg/L upward (no clean threshold below which the association disappears) with a dose-response relationship across the range of concentrations found in drinking water.
Sodium▸
3.5 mg/L
Reference: WHO guideline
World Health Organization drinking-water guideline. International guidance, not legally enforced in the US.
What is it?
Naturally present in most water sources. Also increases from road salt, water softeners, and natural mineral deposits.
Why it matters
There is no federal MCL for sodium. The WHO suggests a guideline of 200 mg/L for people on sodium-restricted diets. For most people, sodium in water is a small fraction of dietary intake.
What to do
If you're on a sodium-restricted diet and your water is above 20 mg/L, talk to your doctor. For most people, no action needed.
OTHER
Acesulfame K (ppb)▸
0.06 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Formaldehyde (ppb)▸
5.6 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Iohexol (ppb)▸
0.06 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
p▸
8.6
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Sucralose (ppb)▸
1.1 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Tert-Butyl alcohol (ppb)▸
2.2 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
% of limit

Other measurements

These describe characteristics of the water that aren’t health risks at typical levels — mineral content, taste, hardness, and similar.

Hardness
▸
32 mg/L· soft
Alkalinity
▸
21 mg/L
Aluminum
▸
0.027 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 0.2 mg/L)
Boron
▸
0.031 mg/L
Chloride
▸
6.1 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 250 mg/L)
Magnesium
▸
1.7 mg/L
Silica
▸
9 mg/L
Specific Conductance
▸
95 µmhos/cm
(EPA secondary standard: 1600 µmhos/cm)
Strontium
▸
0.042 mg/L
Sulfate
▸
9.9 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 250 mg/L)
TDS
▸
59 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 500 mg/L)
TOC
▸
0.88 mg/L

CCR data in early access — values are extracted from utility PDFs and may contain errors. Verify with your utility's 2024 CCR report.

Source: CHARLOTTE WATER Consumer Confidence Report 2024 · Extracted by WaterScore
Measured data
Private Well Risk

Do you have or use a private well? Measured concentrations from nearby private wells sampled within 5 miles.

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3 sites within 10 mi
Nearby Superfund Sites

3 EPA Superfund sites within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily mean your water is affected.

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Surface water
Water Sources

Charlotte draws from surface water — Lake Norman and Mt Island Lake/Cat River. Drought directly affects reservoir levels and river flow. ⚠️ This region is currently under severe drought conditions — reservoir and river levels may be reduced.

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Spatial context
Your area on the map
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