Haverhill, MA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 67/100
4 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Haverhill: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
The systems supplying Haverhill vary in performance across MA benchmarks - most meet minimum federal standards, but documented violations in select areas are on record.
How Haverhill Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Haverhill Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 73% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,550 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.73.
Water Systems Serving Haverhill
The structure of water supply in Haverhill, MA is straightforward: one utility provides the bulk of residential service among 1 tracked system, concentrating rate-setting and infrastructure decisions under a single organization.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Haverhill, Massachusetts, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 67,387 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 4 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Haverhill: C (67/100)
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
Haverhill water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01830 | C | Haverhill Water Department | 61,277 |
| 01832 | C | Haverhill Water Department | 61,277 |
| 01835 | C | Haverhill Water Department | 61,277 |
All ZIP Codes in Haverhill
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 Haverhill
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
How Old Is Haverhill's Housing Stock?
With 73% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Haverhill's median build year of 1972 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Haverhill 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.
Haverhill: Remediation Cost in Perspective
What does remediation cost in financial context for Haverhill 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 Haverhill are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,700–$3,475 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 23% below the Massachusetts average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Haverhill
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 Haverhill, where 73% 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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Haverhill
Historical NFIP data for Haverhill contains 113 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $27,012. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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 <strong>$2,550</strong> 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 Haverhill
- 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 73% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Haverhill, MA