Is Concord, NC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Concord tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOS: 8.3 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Concord Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Concord Compares
Concord's water is 77% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 81% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within North Carolina, it ranks #20 of 25 cities (22% below the state average of 41 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Concord ranks #155 of 189 for hardness.
What Concord's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 32 PPM - Low Concern
Concord's water is slightly hard at 32 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Concord is softer than 81% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Concord has PFOS at 8.3 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Concord's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 43.3 ppb (54% of the legal limit, but 289x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 38.7 ppb (65% of the legal limit, but 387x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.224 ppb, which is 11x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 32 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 64 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 12.52 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 8.3 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 6 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Recommendations for Concord Homes
Recommended Filter for Concord
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOS: 8.3 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.1 mg/L chlorine, many Concord residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Concord
With PFAS at 12.52 ppt in Concord's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Concord Water Resources's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Concord's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Concord Water Resources
Water Source: Coddle Creek Reservoir (Surface Water)
Population Served: 120,548
Hardness: 32 PPM (1.9 grains per gallon)
Concord's drinking water comes from surface sources — Coddle Creek Reservoir. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 121,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Concord Water Resources's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Concord Water Resources in Concord, NC, including ZIP codes:
27209, 27229, 27306, 27371, 28001, 28002, 28007, 28009, 28025, 28026, 28027, 28071, 28075, 28097, 28107, 28109, 28124, 28127, 28128, 28129, 28137, 28163, 28338, 28367
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Concord to Other North Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Concord Water
Is Concord tap water safe to drink?
Where does Concord's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Concord?
How do I remove PFAS from Concord tap water?
What water filter is best for Concord?
Is Concord water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Concord's water?
Is chromium-6 in Concord's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Concord Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 32 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Concord's water data.