Sheffield, MA: 1 Violation — 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Sheffield tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for MA — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Sheffield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Sheffield Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0011 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.11 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Sheffield
Sheffield, 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 Sheffield, Massachusetts, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,331 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sheffield: B (83/100)
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
Sheffield water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0011 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01257 | B | 1 | 0 | Aquarion Water Company |
All ZIP Codes in Sheffield
- 01257 [B] — 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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Sheffield
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Sheffield
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Sheffield's Housing Stock?
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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Sheffield is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1952 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Sheffield 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.
Sheffield: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Sheffield, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Sheffield are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 23% below the Massachusetts average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Sheffield
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.
If 72% of the Sheffield inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Sheffield
Flood activity in Sheffield is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 6-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.
Sheffield has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $25,322 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>$2,200</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 Sheffield, MA