North Carolina · population 64,028
Lead pipes in Chapel Hill, NC
104 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Chapel Hill (population 64,028) gets its water from Orange Water & Sewer Authority. That system reported 0 lead and 104 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 22,897, with 0 more of unknown material.
0.5% of Orange Water & Sewer Authority's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, about the same as the North Carolina average (0.4%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) 0.5%
- Unknown 0%
- Non-lead 100%
Latest lead test for Orange Water & Sewer Authority (Jan 2026–Dec 2028): not detected at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for Orange Water & Sewer Authority.
Water systems serving Chapel Hill
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Water & Sewer AuthorityMain system | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0.5% |
| Stoneridge MasterAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 165 | 0% |
| Beechwood Cove/Polks LandingAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 130 | 0% |
| Chatham S/DAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0% |
| Colvard Farms S/DAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 120 | 0% |
| Robin`s WoodAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 74 | 0% |
| Northwood S/DAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 58 | 0% |
| Woodbridge S/DAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0% |
| Cedar Terrace ApartmentsAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0% |
| Wildcat Creek S/DAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0% |
| Riley`s MHPAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0% |
| Foxboro EstatesAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0% |
| Polks Trail S/DAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0% |
| Cedar Lake CondoAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0% |
| City of DurhamServes nearby areas | 0 | 37 | 54,372 | <0.1% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Chapel Hill
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Orange Water & Sewer Authority's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Carrboro104 lead + galv. lines
- Durham37 lead + galv. lines
- Morrisville2 lead + galv. lines
- Pittsboro59 lead + galv. lines
- Cary2 lead + galv. lines
- Apexno lead reported
- Mebane37 lead + galv. lines
- Swepsonville22 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Chapel Hill, NC have lead pipes?
Yes. Orange Water & Sewer Authority, which serves Chapel Hill, reported 0 lead and 104 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 0 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Chapel Hill?
EPA's service area maps place most of Chapel Hill in Orange Water & Sewer Authority's service area (PWSID NC0368010). Stoneridge Master, Beechwood Cove/Polks Landing, Chatham S/D, Colvard Farms S/D, Robin`s Wood, Northwood S/D, Woodbridge S/D, Cedar Terrace Apartments, Wildcat Creek S/D, Riley`s MHP, Foxboro Estates, Polks Trail S/D, Cedar Lake Condo, City of Durham also serve parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Chapel Hill home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Orange Water & Sewer Authority's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Chapel Hill be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Orange Water & Sewer Authority whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.