Community Water System · PWS NC0353010
Sanford, City Of
Sanford, North Carolina 27330 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 48,350 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.
- 48,350
- People served
- 154
- EPA violations
- 45
- Health-based
- 8 PFAS
- UCMR5 result
The verdict
EPA records 154 drinking-water violations at Sanford, City Of, 29% of them health-based - above the North Carolina per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 8 PFAS compounds.
- 154
- Total EPA violations on record
- 29%
- Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
- 48,350
- People served by this system
- 8
- PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)
Water Quality Snapshot: Sanford, City Of
Sanford, City Of is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 48,350 residents in Sanford, North Carolina (Lee County) through 18,961 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 154 total violations for this system , of which 45 (29%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 99 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.
The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is TTHM, recorded in 25 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 8 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 23 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.
Across North Carolina, EPA tracks 5,020 public water systems serving 9,877,724 people, with 524,053 cumulative violations and 38,492 health-based violations on record. About 93% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 104.4 violations. Statewide, 174 of 287 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (60.6%).
Sanford, City Of's 154 violations sit above the North Carolina average.
All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.
8 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.
System Details
- System Type
- Community
- Owner Type
- Local
- Connections
- 18,961
- County
- Lee
- School/Daycare
- No
- MCL Violations
- 43
- Monitoring Violations
- 99
- Treatment Tech Violations
- 2
Violation History
Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.
| Contaminant | Category | Count | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHM | MCL | 25 | 2011 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL | 15 | 2010 |
| Toxaphene | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Heptachlor epoxide | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| BHC-GAMMA | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Methoxychlor | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| HEXACHLOROBENZENE | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| OXAMYL | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Chlordane | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Heptachlor | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| LASSO | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Carbofuran | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Endrin | MR | 6 | 2014 |
| Public Notice | Other | 5 | 2011 |
| Coliform (TCR) | MCL | 3 | 2004 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MR | 3 | 2023 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | RPT | 2 | 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | TT | 2 | 2024 |
PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)
Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 26 of 116 samples detected PFAS.
| Contaminant | Date | Result | MRL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NMeFOSAA | 7/24/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 7/24/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 7/24/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 7/24/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 6/14/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 6/14/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 6/14/2023 | 11.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFMBA | 6/14/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 6/14/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 6/14/2023 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 6/14/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 6/14/2023 | 4.80 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFUnA | 6/14/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 6/14/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 6/14/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 6/14/2023 | 4.90 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFNA | 6/14/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 6/14/2023 | 16.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFOA | 6/14/2023 | 7.50 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFDA | 6/14/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 6/14/2023 | 12.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 6/14/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 6/14/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 6/14/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 6/14/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 6/14/2023 | 13.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 6/14/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 6/14/2023 | 7.20 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFDoA | 6/14/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 4/29/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 4/29/2024 | 5.60 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFHxS | 4/29/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 4/29/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 4/29/2024 | 10.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFDA | 4/29/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 4/29/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 4/29/2024 | 6.80 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFUnA | 4/29/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 4/29/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 4/29/2024 | 5.50 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 4/29/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 4/29/2024 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 4/29/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 4/29/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 4/29/2024 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 4/29/2024 | 4.30 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| ADONA | 4/29/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 4/29/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 4/29/2024 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 4/29/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
Verify This Water System
The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Sanford, City Of.
EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:
View PWS ID NC0353010 on SDWISSource: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search
North Carolina Drinking Water Authority
North Carolina DEQ, Public Water Supply Section is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Sanford, City Of under EPA-delegated authority.
Open NC regulator portalViolation Timeline
Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.
| Year (latest) | Contaminant | Category | Count | EPA Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | RPT | 2 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 5200 |
| 2024 | LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | TT | 2 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 5200 |
| 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 5000 |
| 2014 | Toxaphene | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2020 |
| 2014 | Heptachlor epoxide | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2067 |
| 2014 | BHC-GAMMA | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2010 |
| 2014 | Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2035 |
| 2014 | Methoxychlor | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2015 |
| 2014 | HEXACHLOROBENZENE | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2274 |
| 2014 | OXAMYL | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2036 |
| 2014 | Chlordane | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2959 |
| 2014 | Heptachlor | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2065 |
| 2014 | LASSO | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2051 |
| 2014 | Carbofuran | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2046 |
| 2014 | Benzo(a)pyrene | MR | 6 | SDWIS / NC0353010 / 2306 |
How Sanford, City Of Compares
Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.
| Metric | Sanford, City Of | North Carolina avg | Federal benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total violations | 154 | 104.4 | SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach |
| Health-based violations | 45 | 7.7 | Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL |
| PFAS detection | 8 compounds | 60.6% | EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt |
| Population served | 48,350 | 1,968 | Sizing context for compliance burden |
Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 5,020 regulated public water systems in North Carolina.
Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
| Contaminant | Federal MCL / Action Level | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) | Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique |
| Arsenic | 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) | Health-based MCL since 2006 |
| Total Coliform | Treatment technique (RTCR) | Indicator organism, monitoring trigger |
| PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) | 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) | Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026) |
| Nitrate (as N) | 10 mg/L | Acute health risk for infants |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sanford, City Of water safe to drink? ▼
How many people does Sanford, City Of serve? ▼
What type of violations does Sanford, City Of have? ▼
Has PFAS been detected in Sanford, City Of water? ▼
What water source does Sanford, City Of use? ▼
Where does this data come from? ▼
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.