Old Saybrook, CT: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 50/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Old Saybrook: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Water compliance in Old Saybrook, CT ranks below average - documented gaps in multiple service areas.
How Old Saybrook Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Old Saybrook Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 78% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Water Systems Serving Old Saybrook
Most residential addresses in Old Saybrook, CT are served by a single water utility - the dominant system among the 1 provider tracked in federal data.
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Old Saybrook, Connecticut (population ~10,515), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 33,975 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Old Saybrook: 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
Old Saybrook 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 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06475 | D | Ctwc - Shoreline Region-guilford System | 33,975 |
All ZIP Codes in Old Saybrook
- 06475 [D]
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 Old Saybrook's Housing Stock?
With 78% 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
What does a median build year of 1963 mean for water safety in Old Saybrook? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used - making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Old Saybrook 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.
Old Saybrook: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Old Saybrook are small relative to typical property values - the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Old Saybrook are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 17% above the Connecticut average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Old Saybrook
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 78% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Old Saybrook.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Old Saybrook
Historical NFIP data for Old Saybrook contains 789 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $24,739. 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>$3,000</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 Old Saybrook
- 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 78% 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 Old Saybrook, CT