Lewes, DE: Lead Above EPA Action Level - Home Safety 83/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Lewes: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
In the dataset behind this page, Lewes, DE receives one of the two highest grades; read the compliance history system by system for details.
How Lewes Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Lewes Residents
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.023 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average.
- Homes built before 1986: 26% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.77.
Lewes's Water Providers
More than one public water system is linked to Lewes, DE: federal records tie 5 systems to the area, and the 3 with the largest reported service populations are shown below. Which of them supplies a particular address depends on where the property sits, and a water bill or the utility can confirm it.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lewes, Delaware (population ~29,599), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 122,229 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 Lewes: B (83/100)
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
Lewes water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0230 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19958 | B | Lewes Board of Public Works | 9,627 |
All ZIP Codes in Lewes
- 19958 [B]
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.
Lewes Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Lewes Infrastructure Age
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
Whether your home in Lewes was built before or after 1986 matters more than the citywide median of 2008, because the 1986 federal lead restrictions cover plumbing installed after that point.
Most homes in Lewes were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Lewes
Because the median home value in Lewes is large relative to the estimated cost of remediation, the ratio between them stays at or below 1%; that is a statement about two area-level numbers, not a quote for a particular house or a judgment about what an owner can pay.
Estimated remediation costs in Lewes can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 38% above the Delaware average.
Lewes: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Two pieces of area data frame lead for Lewes families. First, the average of ZIP-level 90th-percentile lead results is 0.010 mg/L or higher. Second, census figures put homes built before 1986, which are more likely to contain lead pipes, fixtures or solder, at about 26% of the housing stock. Neither figure measures a particular home, so a certified lab test of the tap water is the step that shows the lead level there.
1 ZIP code (100% of the city's ZIP records) is served by a water system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Lewes: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Lewes contains 224 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $10,275. 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 $500 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lewes, DE