Durham, NC · PWSID NC0332010
City of Durham lead service lines
37 lead or galvanized lines to replace
City of Durham reported 0 lead and 37 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 109,515 in its inventory. That's about 1 in 2,960 lines. Another 54,372 (50%) are still listed as unknown material.
Ranks #55 of 158 North Carolina systems with confirmed lead lines, and #2,942 nationally.
<0.1% of City of Durham's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement. That's lower than the North Carolina average (0.4%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) <0.1%
- Unknown 50%
- Non-lead 50%
Total service lines reported: 109,515. Reported all required service line types. Population served: 333,490; 93,952 connections.
Lead test results
City of Durham's most recent 90th-percentile lead result (Jan 2023–Dec 2025) was not detected, below both the 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level that takes effect in 2027. This means 90% of homes sampled were at or below that level; individual homes, especially those with lead lines, can be higher.
Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported to EPA, in parts per billion. Dashed lines: 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level from November 1, 2027.
Progress since 2025 Q1
Reported lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines went from 37 in 2025 Q1 to 37 in 2026 Q3: no change. Lines of unknown material went from 54,372 to 54,372, no change.
Quarterly counts reported to EPA. A drop usually means lines were replaced or confirmed non-lead; a rise usually means more lines were identified. Replacement progress rankings.
Lead rule violations
EPA's data lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations for City of Durham since 2015. That covers testing, reporting, corrosion control and public notice requirements; it isn't a guarantee about any individual home.
Source: EPA SDWIS violation records for the Lead and Copper Rule.
Where the water comes from
City of Durham's main water source is surface water (rivers, lakes or reservoirs). It buys treated water from Town of Cary, City of Raleigh, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, Chatham Co-North, Town of Hillsborough. The seller treats the water, including corrosion control that keeps lead from dissolving out of pipes, while City of Durham is responsible for its own service line inventory and replacement program. It sells water to 4 other water systems: Chatham Co-North, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, Town of Hillsborough, Town of Cary.
Source: EPA SDWIS water system and facility records.
Check your own address
These counts cover the whole system. To see whether your line is lead, use the utility's address-level inventory. Utilities had to prepare one by October 16, 2024 and make it publicly accessible; systems serving more than 50,000 people must post it online.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test on the pipe where water enters your home.
Protect your drinking water now
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, filter water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead. Run cold water for a few minutes after it sits for hours, and never use hot tap water for cooking.
How to pick a lead-certified filter · How to test your water for lead
Getting the line replaced
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask City of Durham whether it replaces the private side for free or with a cost share before you hire anyone. If you want it done sooner, or your utility doesn't cover your side, a licensed plumber can quote it. What replacement costs.
County pages: Lead pipes in Durham County
Cities served
ZIP codes served
ZIP codes whose center falls inside City of Durham's mapped service area (EPA service area boundaries). Neighboring utilities may serve parts of the same ZIP.
27701277032770427707277082770927712
Other water systems nearby
| System | Lead + galv. | Unknown |
|---|---|---|
| Greymoss S/D | 0 | 170 |
| Willow Hill S/D | 0 | 120 |
| Canterbury Estates | 0 | 90 |
| Fox Run S/D | 0 | 100 |
| Heather Glen S/D | 0 | 45 |
| Cardens Creek S/D | 0 | 64 |
| Trapper`s Creek S/D | 0 | 57 |
| Masonwoods S/D | 0 | 32 |
Check another water system
Questions
Does City of Durham have lead pipes?
Yes. City of Durham reported 0 lead service lines and 37 galvanized lines that must be replaced, out of 109,515 total. 54,372 more are of unknown material.
How do I check if my home's service line is lead?
Look up your address on City of Durham's official service line inventory, which utilities must make publicly available. You can also scratch the pipe where it enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and does not attract a magnet.
When will City of Durham replace lead service lines?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, most systems must replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037, starting from November 1, 2027. The rule is being challenged in court, so dates could change. Many utilities run free or cost-share programs now.
Has City of Durham had lead violations?
EPA's data shows no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for City of Durham.
Which water filters remove lead?
Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction, or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis. Check the certification on NSF's listings, not just the box.
Embed or cite this data
Local news sites, blogs and community groups can embed this card. It updates when EPA releases new data.
Citation: Lead Pipe Map, "City of Durham lead service lines," https://leadpipemap.com/nc/city-of-durham/. Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Download the full dataset on the data page.