Thorndike, MA Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems in Thorndike, MA serve households with few reported safety events.
How Thorndike Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Thorndike Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0023 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 85% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.38 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Thorndike
Water service in Thorndike, MA is split across 3 utilities out of 3 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Thorndike, Massachusetts (population ~282), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 7,653 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Thorndike — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Thorndike: 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
Thorndike 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01079 | B | Thorndike Fire and Water District | 1,435 |
All ZIP Codes in Thorndike
- 01079 [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.
CDC Health Data for Thorndike
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
How Old Is Thorndike's Housing Stock?
With 85% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Thorndike sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1969 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Thorndike 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.
Thorndike: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Thorndike market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Thorndike are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 50% below the Massachusetts average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Thorndike
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Thorndike. 85% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Thorndike, MA