Melrose, MA: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 64/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Melrose: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Public water data for Melrose, MA reveals a split picture - tap water quality varies meaningfully by service area and the city's grade reflects that variability.
How Melrose Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Melrose Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0102 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 88% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.88.
Who Supplies Your Water in Melrose
As of current federal records, Melrose, MA is served primarily by one water utility among 1 tracked system. That single provider handles infrastructure investment, rate adjustments, and regulatory reporting under EPA oversight.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Melrose, Massachusetts, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 29,488 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Melrose: C (64/100)
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
Melrose water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0102 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02176 | C | 1 | 1 | Melrose Water Division (mwra) |
All ZIP Codes in Melrose
- 02176 [C] - 1 violation ⚠
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 Melrose
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
Top Contaminants in Melrose Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Melrose
With 88% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Melrose's housing stock carries a median build year of 1900. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Melrose 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 Melrose Homeowners
Given current Melrose valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low - most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Melrose are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,750–$3,900 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 42% above the Massachusetts average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Melrose
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 Melrose, where 88% 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 NFIP Claim Context in Melrose
Historical NFIP data for Melrose contains 96 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $13,480. 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>$2,700</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 Melrose
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Melrose's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 88% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Melrose, MA