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City water profile

Cullowhee water quality

Compare local ZIP estimates, evidence quality, associated public systems, and compliance history for Cullowhee, North Carolina.

Median indexed hardness

5PPM

One indexed ZIP

Range 5–5 PPM

State comparison
36 PPM below
State hardness rank
#378 of 381
Matched utilities
6
Active health records
0

City summary

What the indexed records say

Cullowhee has 1 published ZIP profile across Jackson County. The indexed median is 5 PPM, compared with 41 PPM across North Carolina.

Among the 381 North Carolinacities with an indexed median, Cullowhee ranks #378from highest to lowest. Across all 519 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 4.7to 267.5 PPM.

Because only one ZIP is represented, the city median and range are the same local estimate. It should not be read as multiple independent samples across the community. At least one estimate is marked low confidence, so observation distance and date deserve extra attention.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft1 ZIP
Moderately hard0 ZIPs
Hard0 ZIPs
Very hard0 ZIPs

1 of 1 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance
38.3 miles
Profiles with evidence
1/1

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 0Low: 1

Observation window: Jan 6, 2016 to Mar 9, 2026.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Cullowhee

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

28723

Soft

5 PPM

Nearest site
38.3 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Western Carolina Univ Wtp

PWSID NC0150116

Surface water
System population served
7,800
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Tuckaseigee Water & Sewer Auth

PWSID NC0150035

Surface water
System population served
7,528
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Forest Hills Water System

PWSID NC0150107

Groundwater
System population served
323
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Bear Lake Reserve Golden Farms

PWSID NC1050034

Groundwater
System population served
117
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Riverside Apartments

PWSID NC0150192

Groundwater
System population served
89
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Carolina Village Apartments

PWSID NC0150111

Groundwater
System population served
81
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Compliance history

What EPA records show

No active health-based violation appears among the associated systems in the represented EPA reporting quarter. This does not mean every contaminant was tested at every tap.

RecordSystemPeriodStatus
Public NoticeNC0150035Apr 28, 2025Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleNC0150035Feb 1, 2025Resolved · health-based
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0150035Oct 17, 2024Resolved · health-based
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0150035Oct 17, 2024Resolved
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0150111Oct 17, 2024Resolved · health-based
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0150111Oct 17, 2024Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleNC0150035Sep 1, 2024Resolved · health-based
Surface Water Treatment RuleNC0150035Sep 1, 2024Resolved
Revised Total Coliform RuleNC0150107Jul 1, 2024Resolved
ChlorineNC0150107Jul 1, 2024Resolved

Practical next steps

Move from index to evidence

  1. 1. Open your ZIP. Check distance, dates, confidence, and the associated utility.
  2. 2. Read the current CCR. Confirm source water, detections, limits, ranges, and notices.
  3. 3. Test the tap when needed. Confirm health concerns or treatment sizing with the right method.

Questions people ask

About water in Cullowhee

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 5 PPM. Open the ZIP report to verify the distance and confidence behind that estimate.

Is the tap water safe?

Compliance history is utility-wide and cannot guarantee conditions at every tap. Check current notices and test when address-specific evidence is needed.

Do I need treatment?

Choose treatment only after confirming the problem at the property. A softener targets hardness; contaminant treatment requires a matching, verified performance claim.