Byfield, MA: High Radon Risk — 62/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Byfield, water safety data for MA reveals moderate quality — federal standards are generally met, but documented exceptions exist in specific service areas.
How Byfield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Byfield Water
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.73.
Who Supplies Your Water in Byfield
2 independent water providers serve Byfield, MA — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Byfield, Massachusetts (population ~3,791), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 22,563 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Byfield — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Byfield: C (62/100)
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
Byfield water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Byfield
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01922 | C | Byfield Water District | 2,228 |
All ZIP Codes in Byfield
- 01922 [C]
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 Byfield
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 Byfield
With 50% 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
Because the majority of Byfield's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1984 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Byfield 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 Byfield Homeowners
The household financial picture for Byfield homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Byfield are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 29% above the Massachusetts average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Byfield
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.
Routinely in Byfield, where 50% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Byfield
Flood risk in Byfield occupies the middle ground: 6 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Byfield has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $1,731 per payout. 100% 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>$2,400</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 Byfield
- 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 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Byfield, MA