Lancaster, MA: Lead Above EPA Action Level - Home Safety 50/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Lancaster: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
Low marks: Lancaster, MA sits below the midpoint of the ZipCheckup grade scale.
How Lancaster Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Lancaster Water
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0169 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average.
- Homes built before 1986: 65% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $4,400 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 12.17.
Who Supplies Your Water in Lancaster
One water system is listed below for Lancaster, MA; federal data link 1 to the area overall.
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lancaster, Massachusetts, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 8,470 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lancaster: 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
Lancaster water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0169 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01523 | D | Lancaster Water Department | 6,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Lancaster
- 01523 [D]
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.
Health Outcomes in Lancaster
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Lancaster
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
Renovation history matters as much as age: in Lancaster, with a median build year of 1963, some older homes have been replumbed and some have not.
Over half of homes in Lancaster 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Lancaster Homeowners
Estimated remediation for Lancaster is a small fraction of median property value - one percent or less - though the ratio does not describe any single household.
Estimated remediation costs in Lancaster can be compared with local home values. The $2,900–$6,000 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 17% below the Massachusetts average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lancaster
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.
A citywide figure cannot tell a family in Lancaster what its own faucet delivers. Here, averaging each ZIP code's 90th-percentile lead value gives more than 15 micrograms per liter, and pre-1986 homes account for 65% of the housing.
1 ZIP code (100% of the city's ZIP records) is served by a water system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Lancaster
Historical NFIP data for Lancaster contains 34 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $10,554. 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 $4,400 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 Lancaster
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Consider testing your home's tap water for lead, since household plumbing can affect its level.
- 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 Lancaster, MA