Boston, MA Home Safety: Home Safety 100/100
38 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Boston: A.
No federal data flags a major home-safety concern for this ZIP.
Within Boston, safety indicators for tap water remain above the MA median - documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Boston Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Water Quality Map: Boston, MA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Boston's 17 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Boston Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0058 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,350 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.05.
Boston's Water Providers
Federal records list 2 water systems tied to Boston, MA. Of those, 2 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
- A
- A
Overview
We track home safety data for 38 ZIP codes in Boston, Massachusetts (population ~232,258), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 738,838 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 17 of 38 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 17 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Boston: A (100/100)
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
Boston water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0058 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 17 ZIP codes with known status 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): 38 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02108 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
| 02109 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
| 02110 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
| 02111 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
| 02113 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
| 02114 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
| 02115 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
| 02116 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
| 02118 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
| 02127 | A | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
All ZIP Codes in Boston
- 02108 [A]
- 02109 [A]
- 02110 [A]
- 02111 [A]
- 02112
- 02113 [A]
- 02114 [A]
- 02115 [A]
- 02116 [A]
- 02117
- 02118 [A]
- 02123
- 02127 [A]
- 02128 [A]
- 02133 [A]
- 02163 [A]
- 02196
- 02199 [A]
- 02201
- 02203
- 02204
- 02205 [A]
- 02206
- 02210 [A]
- 02211
- 02212
- 02215 [A]
- 02216
- 02217
- 02222
- 02241
- 02266
- 02283
- 02284
- 02293
- 02295
- 02297
- 02298
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.
Boston 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
How Remediation Costs Compare in Boston
Given current Boston valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low - most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Boston are relatively low compared to home values. The $900–$1,975 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 79% above the Massachusetts average.
Boston: 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 Boston 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.
Boston: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Boston contains 292 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $17,519. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 57% 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>$1,350</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 Boston, MA