Needham, IN: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Needham Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0047 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 45% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.05 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Needham
2 independent water providers serve Needham, IN - 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Needham, Indiana (population ~276), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 967,158 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.
Water Sources
Needham water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0047 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 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46162 | — | Indiana American Water - Johnson County | 86,813 |
All ZIP Codes in Needham
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 Needham
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 Needham's Housing Stock?
With 45% 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
Housing age is a practical proxy for plumbing risk because federal standards changed in 1986, when lead solder was banned from new residential construction, and again earlier - before 1970, lead pipes were themselves commonly installed. Needham's median build year of 2008 sits in the range where both pre- and post-1986 homes are well represented. The bar chart above reflects that mixed picture: the distribution captures pockets of older housing alongside more recent development, and those pockets carry real lead risk potential at the individual property level.
Most homes in Needham 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.
Needham: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because property values in Needham comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Needham are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 302% above the Indiana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Needham
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.
Older stock in Needham represents 45% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level - making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Needham
Historical NFIP data for Needham contains 2 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $34,976. 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>$3,000</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 Needham, IN