Wilmington, DE: 26 Violations — 80/100 (2026)
26 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Wilmington's tap water quality puts it in DE's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Wilmington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Wilmington, DE
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Wilmington's 26 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Wilmington Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 26 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,492 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.35 — above typical levels.
Wilmington's Water Providers
Water delivery in Wilmington, DE is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 4 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 26 ZIP codes in Wilmington, Delaware (population ~219,376), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 439,645 people region-wide.
26 of 26 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Wilmington: 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
Wilmington water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0022 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 25 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 1 ZIP code
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 27 | 26 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19801 | B | 1 | 0 | Wilmington Water Department |
| 19802 | B | 1 | 0 | Wilmington Water Department |
| 19803 | B | 1 | 0 | Wilmington Water Department |
| 19804 | C | 1 | 0 | Wilmington Water Department |
| 19805 | B | 1 | 0 | Wilmington Water Department |
| 19806 | B | 1 | 0 | Wilmington Water Department |
| 19807 | A | 1 | 0 | Wilmington Water Department |
| 19808 | B | 1 | 0 | Artesian Water Company |
| 19809 | B | 1 | 0 | Wilmington Water Department |
| 19810 | B | 1 | 0 | Wilmington Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Wilmington
- 19801 [B] — 1 violation
- 19802 [B] — 1 violation
- 19803 [B] — 1 violation
- 19804 [C] — 1 violation
- 19805 [B] — 1 violation
- 19806 [B] — 1 violation
- 19807 [A] — 1 violation
- 19808 [B] — 1 violation
- 19809 [B] — 1 violation
- 19810 [B] — 1 violation
- 19850 [B] — 1 violation
- 19880 [B] — 1 violation
- 19884 [B] — 1 violation
- 19885 [B] — 1 violation
- 19886 [B] — 1 violation
- 19887 [B] — 1 violation
- 19890 [B] — 1 violation
- 19891 [B] — 1 violation
- 19892 [B] — 1 violation
- 19893 [B] — 1 violation
- 19894 [B] — 1 violation
- 19895 [B] — 1 violation
- 19896 [B] — 1 violation
- 19897 [B] — 1 violation
- 19898 [B] — 1 violation
- 19899 [B] — 1 violation
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.
Wilmington Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Wilmington's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Wilmington
For most homeowners in Wilmington, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Wilmington are relatively low compared to home values. The $738–$2,369 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 12% below the Delaware average.
Wilmington: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Lead risk in Wilmington appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Wilmington: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
What does a high NFIP claim count mean for water quality in Wilmington? The 904 documented claims reflect a flood history frequent enough that those infrastructure degradation pathways — treatment overload, well infiltration, backflow — have almost certainly been periodically activated. That record makes flood timing a relevant factor in local water quality assessment, particularly in the 46% of ZIP codes FEMA has designated as flood zones.
Wilmington has a significant flood history with 904 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $29,343 per claim. With 46% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,492</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 Wilmington, DE