Roxbury, MA Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Roxbury records above-average water quality outcomes for MA; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Roxbury Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Roxbury Water
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.05.
Who Supplies Your Water in Roxbury
At present, 2 utilities serve the bulk of Roxbury, MA's residential water connections out of 2 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Roxbury, Massachusetts (population ~26,851), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,335,647 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Roxbury — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Roxbury: B (73/100)
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
Roxbury water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Roxbury
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02119 | B | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) | 675,647 |
All ZIP Codes in Roxbury
- 02119 [B]
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.
Health Outcomes in Roxbury
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 Roxbury
With 72% 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. Roxbury's median build year of 1952 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Roxbury 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 Roxbury Homeowners
For most homeowners in Roxbury, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Roxbury are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% above the Massachusetts average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Roxbury
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 72% pre-rule share in Roxbury keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Roxbury
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Roxbury falls in moderate-exposure territory — 6 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Roxbury has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $12,690 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>$1,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Roxbury, MA