Cambridge, MA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 50/100
7 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Cambridge: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
The composite Home Safety grade for Cambridge, MA lands at the lower end of the scale; it summarizes data for the area and is not a reading from any home's tap.
How Cambridge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Water Quality Map: Cambridge, MA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of Home Safety grades across Cambridge.
Cambridge Water: The Quick Version
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.008 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 65% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 9.88.
Water Systems Serving Cambridge
Service in Cambridge, MA can differ by address: 3 water systems are tied to the area in federal records, and the 3 largest are listed with their violation records.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Cambridge, Massachusetts (population ~118,073), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 874,906 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 5 of 7 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 5 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cambridge: D (50/100)
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
Cambridge water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0080 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 5 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
7 of 7 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02138 | D | Cambridge Water Department | 118,214 |
| 02139 | D | Cambridge Water Department | 118,214 |
| 02140 | D | Cambridge Water Department | 118,214 |
| 02141 | D | Cambridge Water Department | 118,214 |
| 02142 | D | Cambridge Water Department | 118,214 |
All ZIP Codes in Cambridge
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 Cambridge
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Cambridge's Housing Stock?
With 65% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Ask the water utility whether your address in Cambridge has a lead service line; its inventory can answer what a median build year of 1948 cannot.
Over half of homes in Cambridge were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cambridge: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Compared with typical property prices, the remediation estimate for Cambridge is small in percentage terms - at or under one percent.
Estimated remediation costs in Cambridge can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 90% above the Massachusetts average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Cambridge
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Cambridge
Historical NFIP data for Cambridge contains 82 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $39,767. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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 $500 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.
What You Can Do in Cambridge
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 65% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cambridge, MA