Lawrence, MA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 67/100
4 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Lawrence: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Lawrence water quality is uneven - some service areas show clean compliance; others carry documented violations in MA EPA records.
How Lawrence Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Lawrence Water
- Average lead level: 0.0024 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,425 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.73.
Who Supplies Your Water in Lawrence
With 2 utilities splitting service in Lawrence, MA, water accountability is distributed across 2 systems on the federal record.
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Lawrence, Massachusetts, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 88,297 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 Lawrence: 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
Lawrence water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0024 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01840 | — | Lawrence Water Works | 89,143 |
| 01841 | C | Lawrence Water Works | 89,143 |
| 01843 | C | Lawrence Water Works | 89,143 |
All ZIP Codes in Lawrence
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 Lawrence
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Lawrence
With 83% 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
The median home in Lawrence was built in 1938 - a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Lawrence 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Lawrence Homeowners
In Lawrence, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands - the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Lawrence are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,325–$5,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the Massachusetts average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lawrence
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 83% of Lawrence stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Lawrence
Historical NFIP data for Lawrence contains 332 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $44,698. 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>$3,425</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 Lawrence
- 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 83% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lawrence, MA