The publicly available record for the Charlotte Water system in Mecklenburg County reports no health-based violations and serves over 1.1 million residents using surface water as its source. There is no federal or state monitoring data for tannins in this system, so their presence or level in household water remains untested by these agencies.

What a Certified Laboratory Test for Tannins Reports and How to Read It

Laboratory tests for tannins measure the concentration of organic compounds that cause tea-colored discoloration in water.

Results usually come as numeric concentrations expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). Higher concentrations typically correlate with more intense color.

The test isolates tannins from similar organics but does not detail health risks, as tannins are not classified as contaminants with regulatory limits.

A Worked Example: Reading the Record's Median and Range as a Homeowner Would

Charlotte Water’s public record lacks tannin concentration data because such tests are not routinely required or reported by the EPA.

This absence means no federal benchmark or harmful threshold is established for tannins in the system’s surface water source.

Homeowners suspecting tannins should obtain private laboratory analysis specific to their water supply to identify tannin levels conclusively.

How the Treated Water Differs at the Tap Once the Documented Technology Is in Place

The Pentair Yellow, Tea-Colored Tannin Water Filter effectively reduces visible tannin coloration by filtering out tannin compounds from water.

After configuring this filter, households can expect clearer water with diminished discoloration, improving aesthetic quality and reducing staining risks on fixtures and laundry.

What Distinguishes This Problem From the Two Problems Most Often Confused With It

Tannin discoloration can resemble iron or manganese staining but differs chemically and in treatment approaches.

Unlike iron or manganese, tannins are organic compounds and do not rust plumbing but cause water to look tea-colored or yellowish.

What the Measured Range Means Against the Relevant Federal Standard, and What It Does Not Mean

No federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) exists for tannins since they are not health hazards but aesthetic concerns.

Detection of tannins does not imply water is unsafe, nor does lack of federal monitoring indicate absence.

What Questions a Commercial or Industrial Operator Adds That a Household Does Not

Commercial users might require detailed tannin quantification for process compatibility and equipment care.

Households primarily focus on visible discoloration and staining prevention rather than regulatory compliance.

Do not conclude from public Charlotte Water system data that your own household water does or does not contain tannins. Only a private, specific tannin test on your water supply establishes that. The Pentair Yellow, Tea-Colored Tannin Water Filter ships ready to configure to provide targeted reduction of tannins where they occur.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA SDWIS record for CHARLOTTE WATER (NC0160010), surface water supply, serving 1163701 people: 0 health-based violations of 1 total; lead 90th percentile 0 mg/L