Plumbers in Rougemont, NC

A rural corner of northern Durham County

Rougemont is an unincorporated community along US 501, about 17 miles north of downtown Durham in a straight line. Most of it is in Durham County, with the northern edge crossing into Person County. A 2011 vote to incorporate failed by 10 votes. The Census-designated place had about 1,000 residents in 2020, and the wider 27572 ZIP, which also reaches into Orange and Granville counties, has around 6,100. Moores Mill, Quail Roost Farm and Harris roads run through farmland, and Little River Regional Park, the Flat River and Castle Mont Rouge are nearby.

Water: mostly wells, with one community system

For years, leaking underground fuel tanks at former gas stations contaminated private wells along the US 501 commercial strip. State officials say affected residents used state-supplied water from 1992 until Durham County opened a community well system in 2016 that serves about 40 homes in that area. In 2009, WRAL reported that Roxboro's water lines were about 2 miles away and that connecting would have required incorporation. Outside that small system, Rougemont homes rely on their own wells.

Across Durham County, UNC data from tested private wells found that 38% exceeded the EPA manganese health advisory and about 1% exceeded the arsenic standard. That is county-wide, not specific to Rougemont, but it is a good reason to have a well tested before choosing treatment equipment. Durham County Environmental Health handles well permits and testing.

Wastewater

Homes here are not on municipal sewer. Each uses a private onsite wastewater system regulated by Durham County Environmental Health. A plumber handles the drain piping in the house and the line out to the tank; the tank and drain field fall under the county's onsite program.

Houses and permits

The median Rougemont home dates to 1994, close to Durham's 1995, but about 35% are older than 1980, so older farmhouses sit beside newer builds. Durham City-County Building & Safety issues plumbing permits for the county, including replacements and private water and sewer service lines; a new backflow install needs a separate Cross Connection Control permit. The Person County part of Rougemont may fall under Person County instead.

Gas and calling

Enbridge Gas North Carolina serves Durham County, but rural coverage is spotty, and many homes here may use propane or electric water heaters. If you smell gas, go outside and call 911 or your gas utility; Enbridge's emergency line is 1-877-776-2427. When you call the number on this page, mention that you are on a well, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who works around Rougemont.