Durham County, North Carolina: drinking water report. Durham County serves about 330,000 residents.
Durham County serves about 330,000 residents. Durham's water comes from Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir, supplemented by an interconnection with the City of Raleigh's system. Duke University and the Research Triangle Park generate significant water demand.
Durham's reservoirs are small relative to the city's demand, but provide clean source water from protected Piedmont watersheds. UCMR5 data shows low-level PFAS detections. According to NC DEQ's 2024 monitoring data, Durham's system met all federal standards.
The city's biggest recent water infrastructure challenge has been distribution system breaks – aging mains have caused several significant water main breaks in recent years, leading to boil-water advisories and service interruptions. Durham is investing in a major infrastructure replacement program.
Durham's source water is clean. Distribution infrastructure age is the primary concern – water main breaks can temporarily affect quality.
Check your water for data in your area. A carbon filter improves taste and provides baseline protection. Our water filter guide covers options. Pull your detailed report, and visit our North Carolina page for statewide data.