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City water profile

Wilmington water quality

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

Median indexed hardness

34PPM

5 indexed ZIPs

Range 34–98.5 PPM

State comparison
7 PPM below
State hardness rank
#308 of 381
Matched utilities
7
Active health records
0

City summary

What the indexed records say

Wilmington has 5 published ZIP profiles across New Hanover County. The indexed median is 34 PPM, compared with 41 PPM across North Carolina.

Among the 381 North Carolinacities with an indexed median, Wilmington ranks #308from highest to lowest. Across all 519 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 4.7to 267.5 PPM.

The 34–98.5 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

Soft3 ZIPs
Moderately hard2 ZIPs
Hard0 ZIPs
Very hard0 ZIPs

5 of 5 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance
6.6 miles
Profiles with evidence
5/5

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 3Low: 2

Observation window: Jan 14, 2016 to Jun 2, 2026.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Wilmington

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

28401

Soft

34 PPM

Nearest site
6.6 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

28403

Soft

34 PPM

Nearest site
9.9 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

28405

Soft

34 PPM

Nearest site
7.1 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

28409

Moderately Hard

98.5 PPM

Nearest site
6.1 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

28412

Moderately Hard

98.5 PPM

Nearest site
3.9 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Cfpua-Wilmington

PWSID NC0465010

Surface water
System population served
212,227
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

The Cape Master System

PWSID NC0465199

Groundwater
System population served
11,587
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Figure 8 Island

PWSID NC0465119

Groundwater
System population served
999
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Glynnwood Mhp

PWSID NC0465121

Groundwater
System population served
208
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

South Ridge Mhp

PWSID NC0465206

Groundwater
System population served
115
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Oyster Point S/d

PWSID NC0465211

Groundwater
System population served
99
Last reported
Jun 26, 2026

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

Mason Landing S/d

PWSID NC7065035

Groundwater
System population served
61
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
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalateNC0465199Jan 1, 2026Resolved
Revised Total Coliform RuleNC0465119Mar 1, 2025Resolved
ChlorineNC0465119Mar 1, 2025Resolved
NitrateNC0465010Jan 1, 2025Resolved
NitrateNC0465010Jan 1, 2025Resolved
NitrateNC0465010Jan 1, 2025Resolved
Lead and Copper RuleNC0465206Jan 1, 2025Addressed
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0465119Oct 17, 2024Resolved · health-based
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSNC0465119Oct 17, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNC0465199Jul 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 Wilmington

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 34 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.