Shelburne Falls, MA Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
Residents of Shelburne Falls generally live with tap water that beats the MA safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.
How Shelburne Falls Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Facts for Shelburne Falls Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0023 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.72 — above typical levels.
Shelburne Falls's Water Providers
For most households in Shelburne Falls, MA, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,641 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Shelburne Falls — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Shelburne Falls: 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
Shelburne Falls water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0023 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01370 | B | Shelburne Falls Fire District | 1,806 |
All ZIP Codes in Shelburne Falls
- 01370 [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.
Shelburne Falls 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
Shelburne Falls Infrastructure Age
With 83% 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
What does a median build year of 1943 mean for water safety in Shelburne Falls? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Shelburne Falls 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 Shelburne Falls
Placing remediation in the context of Shelburne Falls's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Shelburne Falls are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 41% below the Massachusetts average.
Shelburne Falls: 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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 83% of the Shelburne Falls inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Shelburne Falls: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data shows 100% of Shelburne Falls's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 4 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Shelburne Falls has a moderate flood history with 4 FEMA claims averaging $15,173 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>$1,600</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 Shelburne Falls, MA