East Brookfield, MA: 5 Violations — 68/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in MA, East Brookfield lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How East Brookfield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for East Brookfield Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0048 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.17 — above typical levels.
East Brookfield's Water Providers
In East Brookfield, MA, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility — a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in East Brookfield, Massachusetts, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,120 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for East Brookfield: C (68/100)
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
East Brookfield water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0048 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 1032 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1028 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01515 | C | 5 | 0 | East Brookfield Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in East Brookfield
- 01515 [C] — 5 violations
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.
East Brookfield 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
What's in East Brookfield's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
East Brookfield Infrastructure Age
With 75% 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
Reading the housing age data for East Brookfield — median build year 1954 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in East Brookfield 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 East Brookfield
Property equity in East Brookfield runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in East Brookfield 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 39% below the Massachusetts average.
East Brookfield: 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.
If 75% of the East Brookfield inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
East Brookfield: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Multiple flood events have been recorded for East Brookfield through the NFIP — 6 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
East Brookfield has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $3,412 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 East Brookfield
- 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. Filters rated for Contaminant 1032 can reduce the most common contaminant found in East Brookfield's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 75% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for East Brookfield, MA