Merritt Island, FL Water Safety: 59/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
In recent monitoring cycles, Merritt Island tap water shows a mixed record for FL — several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
How Merritt Island Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
What You Should Know About Merritt Island Water
- Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.68 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Merritt Island
Federal drinking water records identify 3 systems in Merritt Island, FL. 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 3 ZIP codes in Merritt Island, Florida (population ~46,188), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 887,723 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Merritt Island — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Merritt Island: C (59/100)
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
Merritt Island water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Merritt Island
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 3 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32952 | C | City of Cocoa, | 294,039 |
| 32953 | C | COCOA, CITY OF | 294,039 |
| 32954 | C | TITUSVILLE, CITY OF | 57,218 |
All ZIP Codes in Merritt Island
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 Merritt Island
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 Merritt Island
With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Merritt Island, the median build year of 1982 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Merritt Island were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Merritt Island Homeowners
Within the Merritt Island market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Merritt Island are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 20% above the Florida average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Merritt Island
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.
If 64% of the Merritt Island inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Merritt Island
NFIP data for Merritt Island documents 795 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 67% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.
Merritt Island has a significant flood history with 795 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $13,572 per claim. With 67% 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>$1,200</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.
What You Can Do in Merritt Island
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Merritt Island, FL