Milford, CT Home Safety: Home Safety 50/100
2 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Milford: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Milford ranks below average for tap water safety in CT - health-based violations are documented across multiple service areas in recent EPA monitoring data.
How Milford Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Milford Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 72% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,500 per household.
Water Systems Serving Milford
For most households in Milford, CT, tap water comes from one provider - the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Milford, Connecticut (population ~52,340), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 418,900 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 2 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Milford: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Milford water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06460 | D | Regional Water Authority | 418,900 |
| 06461 | D | Regional Water Authority | 418,900 |
All ZIP Codes in Milford
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
How Old Is Milford's Housing Stock?
With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Milford is predominantly an older city - a median build year of 1963 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Milford were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Milford: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Milford market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity - the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Milford are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,400–$3,750 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 3% below the Connecticut average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Milford
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 72% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Milford.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Milford
Historical NFIP data for Milford contains 3,187 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $28,477. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$2,500</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Milford
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Milford, CT