Tap Water Quality Report
Tap water quality in BURLINGTON, North Carolina
Tap water in BURLINGTON, North Carolina receives a grade of F (53/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by BURLINGTON, CITY OF. The most significant water quality concerns are: PFAS contamination; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database.
What's in BURLINGTON's tap water
Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utility serving BURLINGTON.
PFAS contamination
Severe concernPerfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 44.7 ppb, 746x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernPerfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) detected at 0.61 ppt, 610x above the EWG health guideline of 0.001 ppt.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 31.9 ppb, 319x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
EPA compliance record
Official U.S. EPA records for BURLINGTON, CITY OF (system ID NC0201010) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.
| Rule | Type | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Missed testing | 12/01/2025 | Resolved |
| Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule | Missed testing or reporting | 12/01/2025 | Resolved |
Source: U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), from the Safe Drinking Water Information System. See EPA's full report.
Recommended filters for BURLINGTON
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in BURLINGTON's water supply.
Filter certified for PFOA/PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58)
$180-$750Reverse osmosis and some carbon block filters reduce PFAS. Look for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA/PFOS.
Carbon filter certified for VOCs (NSF/ANSI 53)
$180-$599Activated carbon is effective for disinfection byproducts. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 VOC reduction.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
All contaminants detected in BURLINGTON's tap water
Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) PFAS |
7.01 ppt | 0.09 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 0.007 | — | EPA violation |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) PFAS |
10.4 ppt | 0.3 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 1 | — | EPA violation |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
44.7 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 746× over |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) PFAS |
0.61 ppt | 0.001 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 610× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
31.9 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 319× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
35.1 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 234× over |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) PFAS |
0.9 ppt | 0.006 | — | — | — | — | — | 150× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
12.7 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 127× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
6.53 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 109× over |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) PFAS |
0.65 ppt | 0.006 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 108× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
18.5 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 92× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
27.2 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 68× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
1.33 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 13× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.0519 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 2.6× over |
| Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS) PFAS |
0.8 ppt | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
99.3 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
9.03 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.711 ppb | 53.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.138 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) PFAS |
3.2 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) PFAS |
2.25 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) PFAS |
1.8 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) PFAS |
0.54 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0668 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.726 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
Treatment plant contact info
For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from BURLINGTON, CITY OF.