Great Barrington, MA: 4 Health Violations — 74/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Great Barrington hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in MA with few health-based violations on file.
How Great Barrington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Great Barrington Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 9 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0029 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.11 — above typical levels.
Great Barrington's Water Providers
Multiple utilities divide Great Barrington, MA's water service — 3 leading providers among 4 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 8,813 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Great Barrington: B (74/100)
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
Great Barrington water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0029 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1032 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01230 | B | 9 | 4 | Great Barrington Fire District |
All ZIP Codes in Great Barrington
- 01230 [B] — 9 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.
Great Barrington 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 Great Barrington's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Great Barrington Infrastructure Age
With 70% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Great Barrington — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1979 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Great Barrington 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 Great Barrington
At current valuations, Great Barrington sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Great Barrington are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% below the Massachusetts average.
Great Barrington: 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.
70% — that captures the slice of Great Barrington housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Great Barrington: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
45 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Great Barrington, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Great Barrington has a moderate flood history with 45 FEMA claims averaging $5,111 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>$2,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Great Barrington, MA