Forsyth County, North Carolina: drinking water report. Forsyth County – Winston-Salem – serves about 380,000 residents.
Forsyth County – Winston-Salem – serves about 380,000 residents. Winston-Salem draws from the Yadkin River at Salem Lake and from the Tom A. Walters Water Treatment Plant on the Yadkin River. The Yadkin flows through the Piedmont region, collecting agricultural and urban runoff along its course.
Winston-Salem's water system has maintained solid compliance records. UCMR5 data shows low-level PFAS detections. The county does not host major military installations, and PFAS sources are primarily diffuse.
According to NC DEQ's 2024 monitoring data, the system met all federal standards. The Yadkin River's quality is affected by upstream agriculture and the legacy of textile manufacturing that historically dominated the Piedmont economy. While most mills have closed, residual contamination in some river sediments persists.
Forsyth County's water quality is generally good. The Piedmont setting provides a stable supply with manageable treatment challenges.
Check your water for current data. A carbon filter improves taste and reduces chlorine. For PFAS, reverse osmosis is more effective. Our water filter guide covers both. Pull your detailed report, and visit our North Carolina page for statewide data.