Burke County, NC Water Quality (2026): PFAS & Lead

Burke County, North Carolina: drinking water report. Burke County – Morganton – serves about 90,000 residents.

Water Quality in Burke County, NC

Burke County – Morganton – serves about 90,000 residents. Water comes from the Catawba River and local mountain streams. The county's mix of mountain geography and light manufacturing shapes its environmental profile.

What the Data Shows

Burke County's source water is clean, drawn from Catawba River headwaters in the mountains. UCMR5 data shows no significant PFAS detections. According to NC DEQ's 2024 data, county systems met all federal standards. The county has no major military installations or heavy industrial PFAS sources.

What Burke County Residents Should Do

Burke County's water quality is good, benefiting from mountain headwater sources.

Check your water for data. Our water filter guide covers options. Pull your detailed report, and visit our North Carolina page for statewide data.