Frankford, DE Water Safety: 90/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Frankford tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with DE and federal standards.
How Frankford Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Frankford Water
- Average lead level: 0.0006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 22% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.77 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Frankford
Residential water in Frankford, DE is supplied by 3 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 12 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Frankford, Delaware (population ~8,917), covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 106,522 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Frankford — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Frankford: A (90/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Frankford water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0006 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19945 | A | Pepper Ridge Park | 209 |
All ZIP Codes in Frankford
- 19945 [A]
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
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Frankford
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Frankford
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The year 1986 marks a critical threshold in residential plumbing safety: that's when the federal government banned lead solder from new construction, closing a major pathway for lead entering household drinking water via pipe joints. Frankford's median build year of 2007 signals that most of the city's housing was built under the newer standard. The distribution above tells the full story — the post-1986 majority lowers aggregate risk, but the pre-1986 share still deserves scrutiny from anyone living in or purchasing an older home.
Most homes in Frankford were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Frankford Homeowners
Remediation costs in Frankford are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Frankford are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 16% above the Delaware average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Frankford
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.
Through the multi-year window of EPA Lead and Copper Rule monitoring, Frankford has stayed under the action mark. Paired with a 22% pre-rule housing share, the result places lead in a lower-priority spot on the local picture — without erasing the structural gap between citywide averages and what arrives at one specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Frankford
A moderate NFIP record for Frankford — 22 insurance claims paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Frankford has a moderate flood history with 22 FEMA claims averaging $4,324 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,800</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Frankford, DE