Milton, DE Water Safety: 80/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems in Milton, DE serve households with few reported safety events.
How Milton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Milton Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0072 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 26% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.77 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Milton
Federal drinking water records identify 9 systems in Milton, 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.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Milton, Delaware, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 14,791 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Milton — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Milton: B (80/100)
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
Milton water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0072 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19968 | B | Milton Water Department | 3,200 |
All ZIP Codes in Milton
- 19968 [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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Milton
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 Milton'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 2006 in Milton 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 Milton 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.
Milton: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Milton, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Milton 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 18% above the Delaware average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Milton
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.
Where pre-rule stock represents a smaller fraction of the inventory — 26% across Milton — the structural drivers of household exposure run thinner. Aggregate readings under the federal benchmark reinforce that picture, with one-home draws remaining the only direct measurement for a specific address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Milton
FEMA data shows 100% of Milton's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 80 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Milton has a moderate flood history with 80 FEMA claims averaging $12,406 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 Milton, DE