Middletown, DE Home Safety: Home Safety 83/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Middletown: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
For households in Middletown, DE water data shows a consistently above-average safety picture.
How Middletown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Middletown Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 13% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.25 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Middletown
Federal drinking water records identify 5 systems in Middletown, DE. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations - so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Middletown, Delaware (population ~50,542), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 261,591 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 Middletown: 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
Middletown water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0015 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 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19709 | B | Artesian Water Company | 231,114 |
All ZIP Codes in Middletown
- 19709 [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.
CDC Health Data for Middletown
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
How Old Is Middletown's Housing Stock?
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
A median build year of 2005 in Middletown points to a housing stock where post-1986 construction is the norm. That matters because lead solder in plumbing - banned federally in 1986 - is a primary pathway by which older homes can elevate tap water lead above what enters the distribution system.
Most homes in Middletown 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.
Middletown: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Middletown, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity - the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Middletown are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 26% above the Delaware average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Middletown
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.
Pre-rule stock in Middletown accounts for 13% of the inventory - a modest fraction - and citywide samples land safely beneath the federal action mark.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Middletown
Historical NFIP data for Middletown contains 78 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $9,409. 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>$1,600</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Middletown, DE