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City water profile

Highlands water quality

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

Median indexed hardness

12PPM

One indexed ZIP

Range 12–12 PPM

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

City summary

What the indexed records say

Highlands has 1 published ZIP profile across Macon County. The indexed median is 12 PPM, compared with 41 PPM across North Carolina.

Among the 381 North Carolinacities with an indexed median, Highlands ranks #370from 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.

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
18.3 miles
Profiles with evidence
1/1

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 1Low: 0

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

ZIP directory

Water reports in Highlands

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

28741

Soft

12 PPM

Nearest site
18.3 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Highlands, Town Of

PWSID NC0157015

Surface water
System population served
6,614
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Cullasaja Club

PWSID NC0157143

Groundwater
System population served
800
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Highlands Falls Country Club

PWSID NC0157123

Groundwater
System population served
650
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Wildcat Cliffs Country Club

PWSID NC0157118

Groundwater
System population served
445
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Cold Springs Poa

PWSID NC0157138

Groundwater
System population served
165
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

King Mountain Club Water

PWSID NC0157117

Groundwater influenced by surface water
System population served
150
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Cherrywood Trails

PWSID NC1057024

Groundwater
System population served
125
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Flat Mountain Estates

PWSID NC0157102

Groundwater
System population served
109
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Sassafras Gap Employee Village

PWSID NC0157154

Groundwater
System population served
107
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Cottages At Lake Osseroga

PWSID NC1057005

Groundwater
System population served
93
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
Revised Total Coliform RuleNC0157118Jan 11, 2026Resolved
TTHMNC0157117Jan 1, 2025Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)NC0157117Jan 1, 2025Resolved
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0157015Oct 17, 2024Resolved · health-based
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0157015Oct 17, 2024Resolved
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0157118Oct 17, 2024Resolved · health-based
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0157118Oct 17, 2024Resolved
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0157102Oct 17, 2024Resolved · health-based
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0157102Oct 17, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0157138Jul 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 Highlands

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 12 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.