Buzzards Bay, MA Water Safety: 49/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Buzzards Bay record elevated violation rates against MA benchmarks — residents in affected areas may want to check their local system's current compliance status.
How Buzzards Bay Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Buzzards Bay Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 82% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.93 — above typical levels.
Buzzards Bay's Water Providers
Federal records list 4 water systems tied to Buzzards Bay, MA. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts (population ~14,034), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 53,978 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Buzzards Bay — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Buzzards Bay: D (49/100)
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
Buzzards Bay water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Buzzards Bay
- 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): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02532 | D | ONSET FIRE DISTRICTWATER DEPT. | 5,392 |
| 02542 | D | BOURNE WATER DISTRICT | 22,500 |
All ZIP Codes in Buzzards Bay
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.
Buzzards Bay 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
Buzzards Bay Infrastructure Age
With 82% 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 one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1965, Buzzards Bay falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Buzzards Bay 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Buzzards Bay
What does remediation cost in financial context for Buzzards Bay homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Buzzards Bay are relatively low compared to home values. The $600–$2,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% below the Massachusetts average.
Buzzards Bay: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Buzzards Bay have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 82% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Buzzards Bay: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
How does Buzzards Bay's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 243 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 50% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Buzzards Bay has a moderate flood history with 243 FEMA claims averaging $9,372 per payout. 50% 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>$1,300</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 Buzzards Bay
- 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 82% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Buzzards Bay, MA