Mattapan, MA Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Mattapan meets baseline drinking water standards, some MA-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.
How Mattapan Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Mattapan Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 84% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.05.
Water Systems Serving Mattapan
Mattapan, MA draws its residential water from 2 separate providers among the 2 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mattapan, Massachusetts (population ~25,313), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 704,277 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Mattapan — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mattapan: C (55/100)
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
Mattapan water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mattapan
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02126 | C | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
All ZIP Codes in Mattapan
- 02126 [C]
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.
CDC Health Data for Mattapan
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 Mattapan's Housing Stock?
With 84% 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
Mattapan's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1940 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Mattapan 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.
Mattapan: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Mattapan picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Mattapan are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 8% below the Massachusetts average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mattapan
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.
84% of Mattapan housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Mattapan
Flood activity in Mattapan is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 15-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Mattapan has a moderate flood history with 15 FEMA claims averaging $6,401 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>$1,600</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 Mattapan
- 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 84% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mattapan, MA