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ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM

PWS ID: NC0368020 · MEBANE, North Carolina 27302

ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM serves 9,223 people in MEBANE, North Carolina using Surface Water water sources. It has 484 recorded EPA violations, including 40 health-based violations. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in UCMR5 testing (5 compounds found).

Water Quality Snapshot: ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM

ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM is a private-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 9,223 residents in MEBANE, North Carolina (Orange County) through 3,580 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 484 total violations for this system , of which 40 (8%) are health-based — meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 428 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2025.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Radium-226, recorded in 40 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 5 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 0.0118 ppt. 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. ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM's 484 violations sit above the North Carolina average. Statewide, 174 of 287 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (60.6%). All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

5 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
9,223
Total Violations
484
Health-Based Violations
40
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Private
Connections
3,580
County
Orange
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
39
Monitoring Violations
428
Treatment Tech Violations
1

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Radium-226 MR 40 2008
Radium-228 MR 40 2008
Combined Uranium MR 40 2008
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MR 40 2008
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MR 40 2008
TTHM MCL 35 2017
CARBON, TOTAL MR 17 2024
TTHM MR 16 2017
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 16 2024
Revised Total Coliform Rule RPT 11 2023
Coliform (TCR) MR 10 2008
Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 6 2022
Lead and Copper Rule MR 6 2023
Chlorine MR 6 2008
Atrazine MR 6 2019
Chloramine MR 5 2022
Nitrate MR 5 2024
Arsenic MR 5 2024
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 5 2024
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 2024
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 2024
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 2024
Vinyl chloride MR 4 2024
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2024
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2024
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 2024
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 2024
Carbon tetrachloride MR 4 2024
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 4 2024
Trichloroethylene MR 4 2024

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 9 of 294 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
lithium 8/27/2025 <9 µg/L 9 µg/L Not Detected
lithium 8/27/2025 <9 µg/L 9 µg/L Not Detected
lithium 8/27/2025 <9 µg/L 9 µg/L Not Detected
lithium 8/27/2025 <9 µg/L 9 µg/L Not Detected
PFOA 5/27/2025 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFOS 5/27/2025 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFNA 5/27/2025 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxS 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 5/27/2025 <0.006 µg/L 0.006 µg/L Not Detected
PFDA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
8:2 FTS 5/27/2025 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFMBA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
4:2 FTS 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
6:2 FTS 5/27/2025 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFBA 5/27/2025 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
HFPO-DA 5/27/2025 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
ADONA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeS 5/27/2025 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFTrDA 5/27/2025 <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Not Detected
PFMPA 5/27/2025 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 5/27/2025 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFDoA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
lithium 5/27/2025 <9 µg/L 9 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpS 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
NFDHA 5/27/2025 <0.02 µg/L 0.02 µg/L Not Detected
PFBS 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFEESA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 5/27/2025 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 5/27/2025 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFUnA 5/27/2025 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFTA 5/27/2025 <0.008 µg/L 0.008 µg/L Not Detected
PFTA 5/27/2025 <0.008 µg/L 0.008 µg/L Not Detected
PFTrDA 5/27/2025 <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 5/27/2025 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 5/27/2025 <0.006 µg/L 0.006 µg/L Not Detected
ADONA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFBS 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFNA 5/27/2025 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFDA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFEESA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
NFDHA 5/27/2025 <0.02 µg/L 0.02 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpS 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFUnA 5/27/2025 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
lithium 5/27/2025 <9 µg/L 9 µg/L Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 5/27/2025 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFMBA 5/27/2025 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
HFPO-DA 5/27/2025 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L 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 ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM.

Federal Source of Truth

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 NC0368020 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

North Carolina Drinking Water Authority

North Carolina DEQ — Public Water Supply Section is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM under EPA-delegated authority.

Open NC regulator portal

Source: North Carolina DEQ — Public Water Supply Section

Violation 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
2025 CARBON, TOTAL TT 1 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2920
2024 CARBON, TOTAL MR 17 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2920
2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 16 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2456
2024 Nitrate MR 5 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 1040
2024 Arsenic MR 5 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 1005
2024 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 5 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2378
2024 DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2964
2024 o-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2968
2024 p-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2969
2024 Vinyl chloride MR 4 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2976
2024 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2977
2024 trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2979
2024 1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2980
2024 1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2981
2024 Carbon tetrachloride MR 4 SDWIS / NC0368020 / 2982

How ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM North Carolina avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 484 104.4 SDWA compliance — any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 40 7.7 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 5 compounds 60.6% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 9,223 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
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM water safe to drink? ▼
ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM (PWS ID: NC0368020) has 484 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 5 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 9,223 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM serve? ▼
ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM serves 9,223 people in MEBANE, North Carolina. It is a Private-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 3,580 service connections.
What type of violations does ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM have? ▼
ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM has 484 total violations: 40 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 428 monitoring/reporting violations, and 1 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds in ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM's water supply: PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM use? ▼
ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

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Data sourced from $official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by Kiznis Studio Editorial