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City water profile

Hickory water quality

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

Median indexed hardness

35PPM

2 indexed ZIPs

Range 31.8–37.7 PPM

State comparison
6 PPM below
State hardness rank
#305 of 381
Matched utilities
10
Active health records
0

City summary

What the indexed records say

Hickory has 2 published ZIP profiles across Catawba County. The indexed median is 35 PPM, compared with 41 PPM across North Carolina.

Among the 381 North Carolinacities with an indexed median, Hickory ranks #305from highest to lowest. Across all 519 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 4.7to 267.5 PPM.

The 31.8–37.7 PPM range shows how much the available ZIP estimates vary within the city label. At least one estimate is marked low confidence, so observation distance and date deserve extra attention.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft2 ZIPs
Moderately hard0 ZIPs
Hard0 ZIPs
Very hard0 ZIPs

2 of 2 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance
55.7 miles
Profiles with evidence
2/2

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 0Low: 2

Observation window: Jul 20, 2016 to Apr 3, 2018.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Hickory

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

28601

Soft

37.7 PPM

Nearest site
55.7 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

28602

Soft

31.8 PPM

Nearest site
49.6 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Hickory City Of

PWSID NC0118010

Surface water
System population served
71,393
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Burke Co-Airport Rhodhiss

PWSID NC0112080

Surface water
System population served
559
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Homestead S/d Water System

PWSID NC0118241

Groundwater
System population served
389
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Hidden Creek Estates

PWSID NC0118290

Groundwater
System population served
340
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Woodridge S/d

PWSID NC0118248

Groundwater
System population served
295
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Forest Ridge S/d

PWSID NC0118269

Groundwater
System population served
292
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Jacob`s View S/d

PWSID NC0118305

Groundwater
System population served
238
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Clearview Acres S/d

PWSID NC0118105

Groundwater
System population served
170
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Jamestowne S/d Water System

PWSID NC0118242

Groundwater
System population served
163
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Sherwood Forest S/d

PWSID NC0118245

Groundwater
System population served
160
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
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118241Jul 1, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118290Jul 1, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118248Jul 1, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118269Jul 1, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118305Jul 1, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118242Jul 1, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118245Jul 1, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118251Jul 1, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118171Jul 1, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0118279Jul 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 Hickory

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 35 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.