Royalston, MA Water - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Royalston Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0036 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 63% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.17 - above typical levels.
Royalston's Water Providers
The structure of water supply in Royalston, MA is straightforward: one utility provides the bulk of residential service among 1 tracked system, concentrating rate-setting and infrastructure decisions under a single organization.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Royalston, Massachusetts (population ~1,497), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 10,587 people region-wide. 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.
Water Sources
Royalston water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0036 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01368 | — | Athol Dpw Water Division | 10,587 |
All ZIP Codes in Royalston
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.
Royalston Community Health Snapshot
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
Royalston Infrastructure Age
With 63% 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. Royalston's median build year of 1972 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Royalston 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Royalston
For most homeowners in Royalston, 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 Royalston are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 42% below the Massachusetts average.
Royalston: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Older stock in Royalston represents 63% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level - making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Royalston, MA