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Community Water System · PWS NC0425055

Craven County Water System

New Bern, North Carolina 28562 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 37,848 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

37,848
People served
148
EPA violations
14
Health-based
No PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 148 drinking-water violations at Craven County Water System, 9% of them health-based - above the North Carolina per-system average.

148
Total EPA violations on record
9%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
37,848
People served by this system
0
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Craven County Water System

Craven County Water System is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 37,848 residents in New Bern, North Carolina (Craven County) through 14,901 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 148 total violations for this system , of which 14 (9%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 112 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 10 violations (MCL, health-based). This system was sampled under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program and no PFAS compounds were detected above the minimum reporting level.

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%).

Craven County Water System's 148 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.

Population Served
37,848
Total Violations
148
Health-Based Violations
14
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
14,901
County
Craven
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
12
Monitoring Violations
112
Treatment Tech Violations
2

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
TTHM MCL 10 2015
Public Notice Other 8 2019
Carbofuran MR 6 2018
Coliform (TCR) MR 6 2002
OXAMYL MR 6 2018
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 5 2006
Trichloroethylene MR 4 2003
Toluene MR 4 2003
CHLOROBENZENE MR 4 2003
Tetrachloroethylene MR 4 2003
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2003
Vinyl chloride MR 4 2003
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 2003
Xylenes, Total MR 4 2003
Dalapon MR 4 2003
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 4 2003
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 2003
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 4 2003
Carbon tetrachloride MR 4 2003
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 2003
E. COLI MR 4 2022
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2003
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 2003
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2003
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 2003
Styrene MR 4 2003
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 2003
Ethylbenzene MR 4 2003
Benzene MR 4 2003
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS RPT 2 2024

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 0 of 49 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFPeS 4/9/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 4/9/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 4/9/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 4/9/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 4/9/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 4/9/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 4/9/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 4/9/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 4/9/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 4/9/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 4/9/2025 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 4/9/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 4/9/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 4/9/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 4/9/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 4/9/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 4/9/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 4/9/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 4/9/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 4/9/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 4/9/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 4/9/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 4/9/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 4/9/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 4/9/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 4/9/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 4/9/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 4/9/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 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 Craven County 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 NC0425055 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 Craven County 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
2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS RPT 2 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 5200
2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS TT 2 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 5200
2022 E. COLI MR 4 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 3014
2019 Public Notice Other 8 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 7500
2018 Carbofuran MR 6 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2046
2018 OXAMYL MR 6 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2036
2015 TTHM MCL 10 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2950
2006 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 5 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 7000
2003 Trichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2984
2003 Toluene MR 4 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2991
2003 CHLOROBENZENE MR 4 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2989
2003 Tetrachloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2987
2003 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2977
2003 Vinyl chloride MR 4 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2976
2003 p-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / NC0425055 / 2969

How Craven County Water System Compares

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

Metric Craven County Water System North Carolina avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 148 104.4 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 14 7.7 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection None 60.6% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 37,848 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 Craven County Water System water safe to drink?
Craven County Water System (PWS ID: NC0425055) has 148 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. No PFAS contamination was detected in UCMR5 testing. This system serves 37,848 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Craven County Water System serve?
Craven County Water System serves 37,848 people in New Bern, North Carolina. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 14,901 service connections.
What type of violations does Craven County Water System have?
Craven County Water System has 148 total violations: 14 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 112 monitoring/reporting violations, and 2 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Craven County Water System water?
No. Craven County Water System was tested for PFAS under the EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program and no PFAS contamination was detected.
What water source does Craven County Water System use?
Craven County Water System uses Groundwater 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.
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.
Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

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.