South Grafton, MA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 37/100
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for South Grafton: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
Public water compliance in South Grafton falls below the MA baseline - elevated violation rates are on record.
How South Grafton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
South Grafton Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 32 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0083 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 55% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.17 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving South Grafton
Water supply in South Grafton, MA follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 3 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
- F
- F
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South Grafton, Massachusetts (population ~4,914), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 16,960 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Grafton: F (37/100)
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
South Grafton water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0083 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| PFOA | PFAS | 2 | 1 |
| PFNA | PFAS | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01560 | F | 32 | 0 | South Grafton Water District |
All ZIP Codes in South Grafton
- 01560 [F] - 32 violations
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 South Grafton
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 South Grafton
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is South Grafton's Housing Stock?
With 55% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1972 places South Grafton's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era - and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in South Grafton 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.
South Grafton: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in South Grafton are small relative to typical property values - the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in South Grafton are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 21% below the Massachusetts average.
Protecting Children from Lead in South Grafton
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.
Wherever 55% of local housing was built before solder rules changed - as is the case in South Grafton - a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for South Grafton
Historical NFIP data for South Grafton contains 9 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $16,434. 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 <strong>$3,000</strong> 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 South Grafton
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in South Grafton's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 55% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for South Grafton, MA