Durham Drinking Water Met Standards in 2025
The latest Durham water quality report shows no violations, but gives residents a closer look at PFAS test results, source-water risks, and the city's use of Cary's Jordan Lake supply.
Wes Platt
Durham’s drinking water met state and federal standards in 2025, according to the city’s latest annual water quality report. That sounds reassuring.
The fine print, though, gives residents a few things worth keeping an eye on, including PFAS test results, Durham’s source-water risks, and a water purchase from Cary during a dry year.
Durham Water reported 100% compliance with all drinking water quality standards in 2025. The city also said it routinely monitors for more than 150 contaminants.
Durham’s regular water sources are Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir. The 2025 report also says the city purchased water from the Town of Cary during the year. Cary’s system draws from Jordan Lake.
That’s worth noting because water supply affects more than what comes out of the tap. It plays into drought planning, growth, development, utility costs, and how Durham prepares for the next stretch of hot, dry weather.
The city reported full compliance in several major testing categories, including:
- Lead and copper
- Disinfection byproducts
- Disinfectant residuals
- Nitrate and nitrite
- Inorganic contaminants
- Synthetic organic chemicals, including pesticides and herbicides
- Turbidity
- Total organic carbon
- E. coli in the distribution system
Wes Platt
For lead, Durham reported a non-detect result at the 90th percentile, with no sampled sites above the action level. Copper measured 0.105 parts per million at the 90th percentile, also with no sampled sites above the action level.
The PFAS results may draw more attention.
The report lists several PFAS compounds under “unregulated contaminants.” PFAS, often called forever chemicals, are persistent chemicals that have become a growing concern for regulators, utilities, and residents.
Durham’s 2025 averages were 3.8 for PFOA, 5.6 for PFOS, 5.9 for PFBS, and 2.2 for PFBA. In 2024, the city reported averages of 3.0 for PFOA, 4.8 for PFOS, 3.9 for PFBS, and 3.3 for PFBA. Put another way, three of the four listed PFAS averages increased from 2024 to 2025. PFBA declined.
The EPA’s drinking water standards for PFAS include enforceable limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, 10 parts per trillion for PFHxS, 10 parts per trillion for PFNA, and 10 parts per trillion for HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX chemicals. Durham says its PFAS testing has shown levels both below and above the 4 parts per trillion standard for PFOA and PFOS, but the city currently meets all state and federal drinking water regulations.
Durham also has started planning for treatment upgrades. The city says it has worked with HDR Engineering Inc. of the Carolinas to evaluate options for meeting the updated PFAS requirements.
Compared with last year, the big picture hasn't changed much. Durham reported 100% compliance in both 2024 and 2025.
Both Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir received a “higher” susceptibility rating in the state’s Source Water Assessment Program. The report indicates that doesn't mean Durham’s water quality is poor. It means those sources have a higher potential to be affected by possible contaminant sources in the surrounding assessment area.
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