Compared to top-scoring cities in MA, Worcester lands in the middle tier - some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.

Data: EPA SDWIS

Water Quality Map: Worcester, MA

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Overview

We track home safety data for 16 ZIP codes in Worcester, Massachusetts, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 205,777 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 9 of 16 ZIP codes.

3 of 9 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (33%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Worcester: C (64/100)

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

Worcester water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0021 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
• 0 of 9 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 16 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Top Contaminants

Areas with Most Violations

Areas with No Violations

All ZIP Codes in Worcester

• 01601
• 01602 [C]
• 01603 [C] - 3 violations ⚠
• 01604 [C]
• 01605 [C]
• 01606 [C] - 2 violations
• 01607 [D] - 2 violations
• 01608
• 01609
• 01610
• 01613
• 01614
• 01615
• 01653
• 01654
• 01655

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.

Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Worcester Homeowners

Placing remediation in the context of Worcester'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.

Median Home Value

$341,300

Est. Remediation

$2,488

Remediation as % of home value 0.7%

Remediation costs in Worcester are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,656–$3,394 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 39% below the Massachusetts average.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Worcester

0.0021

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Lead risk in Worcester appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Historical NFIP Claim Context in Worcester

254

Total FEMA Flood Claims

$29,740

Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data

70%

A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Worcester contains 254 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $29,740. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 70% 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>$2,488</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.