Hardness
Moderately Hard
84.1 PPM · 4.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Nebo, NC 28761
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Mcdowell County.
2 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Black Bear Development
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Mcdowell County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
2 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.004 mg/L
27% of action level
Utility match
9 systems
Serves 343 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
84.1 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
84.1
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
4.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 84.1 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
7
Nearest site
35.2 mi
Observation range
Aug 9, 2022–Apr 22, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Ct:E-006 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 28761 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Nebo median
84 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 84.1–84.1 PPM
North Carolina median
41 PPM
43 PPM higher519 indexed ZIP readings · Range 4.7–267.5 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.004 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2028
Copper (CU90)
2.61 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2008
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.004
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 2.61
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 32
- Health-based
- 5
- Active health-based
- 2
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0156122 | Addressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NC0156122 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC1056009 | Addressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC1056009 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Sep 9, 2025 |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | NC0156136 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0156136 | Addressed | Jan 1, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | NC0156125 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Mar 26, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | NC0156125 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Mar 26, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | NC0156136 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Dec 30, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | NC0156136 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Dec 30, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | NC0156126 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | NC0156126 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | NC0156122 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | NC0156122 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | NC1056009 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Mar 27, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | NC1056009 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC0156125 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Nov 14, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC1056009 | Addressed | Jul 1, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC0156126 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Nov 7, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC1056009 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Nov 7, 2023 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Nebo ZIP 28761 using 84.1 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS have a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Nebo
Is tap water safe in Nebo?+
EPA ECHO reports 2 active health-based violations among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 84.1 PPM, or 4.9 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.