Salem, MA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100
2 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Salem: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
For residents of Salem, MA, a C is a prompt to look up the report for their own ZIP code rather than a verdict on their tap.
How Salem Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Salem Water: The Quick Version
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.73.
Water Systems Serving Salem
Sorted by reported population served, the top 2 of 2 public water systems mapped to Salem, MA appear below, each with its own federal compliance record.
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Salem, Massachusetts (population ~44,115), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 91,941 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 2 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Salem: 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
Salem water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Salem
- Lead action-level status: not available
Radon Risk
2 of 2 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01970 | C | Salem Water Department | 44,480 |
All ZIP Codes in Salem
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.
CDC Health Data for Salem
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Salem: Remediation Cost in Perspective
How large is the remediation estimate next to home prices in Salem? Small in relative terms: it amounts to 1% of the median value or less, although the dollar figure below is still an estimate and actual costs vary by property and contractor.
Estimated remediation costs in Salem can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 12% below the Massachusetts average.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Salem
Historical NFIP data for Salem contains 182 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $15,967. 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 $500 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 Salem
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Salem, MA