What was found in Cherokee's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 365.5 µg/L 3.7% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM · 16,203 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 3300 µg/L — CHEROKEE - ROUGH BRANCH WATER SYSTEM · 233 people · 2019 | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 353.5 µg/L 3.5% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM · 16,203 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 2525 µg/L — CHEROKEE - ROUGH BRANCH WATER SYSTEM · 233 people · 2019 | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 21.62 µg/L 1.7% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM · 16,203 people · 2018
Highest in the city: 972.6 µg/L — CHEROKEE - ROUGH BRANCH WATER SYSTEM · 233 people · 2017 | 4/4 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 230 µg/L 23% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Highest in the city: CHEROKEE - ROUGH BRANCH WATER SYSTEM · 233 people · 2019 | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 0.9601 pCi/L 19% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Main supplier: CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM · 16,203 people · 2018
Highest in the city: 150.252 pCi/L — CHEROKEE - SNOWBIRD/CORNSILK COMMUNITY · 103 people · 2018 | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 86.9 µg/L 2.2% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Highest in the city: CHEROKEE - SNOWBIRD/CORNSILK COMMUNITY · 103 people · 2017 | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 29.5 µg/L 197% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 µg/L Main supplier: CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM · 16,203 people · 2018 | 4/4 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 0.9500 pCi/L 6.3% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L Main supplier: CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM · 16,203 people · 2018
Highest in the city: 23.2575 pCi/L — CHEROKEE - ROUGH BRANCH WATER SYSTEM · 233 people · 2018 | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 18.6 µg/L 0.9% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Highest in the city: CHEROKEE - ROUGH BRANCH WATER SYSTEM · 233 people · 2017 | 2/4 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 1.14924 µg/L 3.8% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L Main supplier: CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM · 16,203 people · 2017
Highest in the city: 1.16742 µg/L — CHEROKEE - SNOWBIRD/CORNSILK COMMUNITY · 103 people · 2015 | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0 mg/L 0% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM · 16,203 people · 2026
Highest in the city: 0.0070 mg/L — CHEROKEE- 3200 ACRE COMMUNITY WS · 164 people · 2025 | 4/4 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Cherokee
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM | 16,203 |
| CHEROKEE - ROUGH BRANCH WATER SYSTEM | 233 |
| CHEROKEE- 3200 ACRE COMMUNITY WS | 164 |
| CHEROKEE - SNOWBIRD/CORNSILK COMMUNITY | 103 |
Frequently asked questions about Cherokee tap water
Is Cherokee tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 11 contaminants in the water serving Cherokee. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Cherokee?
4 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Cherokee, North Carolina to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Cherokee's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Cherokee include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, Nitrite, Combined Radium (-226 And -228). The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.