Worcester, MA: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 64/100
16 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Worcester: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
For residents of Worcester, MA, a C is a prompt to look up the report for their own ZIP code rather than a verdict on their tap.
How Worcester Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Water Quality Map: Worcester, MA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Worcester score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Worcester Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $567 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 12.17.
Who Supplies Your Water in Worcester
3 systems shown for Worcester, MA, from 5 on the federal list.
- D
- C
- C
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 of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 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
16 of 16 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Radium-226 | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01603 | C | 3 | 1 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01606 | C | 2 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01607 | D | 2 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01602 | C | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division | 206,518 |
| 01604 | C | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division | 206,518 |
| 01605 | C | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division | 206,518 |
| 01608 | — | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division | 206,518 |
| 01609 | — | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division | 206,518 |
| 01610 | — | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division | 206,518 |
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.
Health Outcomes in Worcester
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Worcester Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Worcester Homeowners
In Worcester, estimated remediation comes to 1% or less of the median home value.
Estimated remediation costs in Worcester can be compared with local home values. The $342–$900 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 39% below the Massachusetts average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Worcester
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Available area-level lead records for Worcester do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. 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
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 $567 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 Worcester
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Arsenic, listed in the water-quality records for Worcester: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Worcester, MA