Rowan County, North Carolina: drinking water report. Rowan County – Salisbury – serves about 145,000 residents in the central Piedmont.
Rowan County – Salisbury – serves about 145,000 residents in the central Piedmont. Salisbury-Rowan Utilities draws from the Yadkin River and Second Creek Reservoir. The county's position along the I-85 corridor between Charlotte and the Triad has driven moderate growth.
Rowan County's Yadkin River source is shared with communities upstream and downstream. UCMR5 data shows low-level PFAS detections. The county does not host major military installations.
According to NC DEQ's 2024 monitoring data, county systems met all federal standards. The Yadkin River's agricultural watershed influences seasonal water quality, particularly during heavy rainfall events that flush nutrients and sediment into the river.
Rowan County's water quality is adequate. Seasonal variability from agricultural runoff is the main dynamic.
Check your water for data in your area. A carbon filter addresses taste and seasonal quality shifts. Our water filter guide covers options. Pull your detailed report, and visit our North Carolina page for statewide data.