Biddeford Pool, ME: High Radon Risk — 45/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in ME, Biddeford Pool records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Biddeford Pool Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Biddeford Pool Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 87% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.18 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Biddeford Pool
Federal records list 3 water systems tied to Biddeford Pool, ME. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Biddeford Pool, Maine (population ~72), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 80,641 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Biddeford Pool — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Biddeford Pool: D (45/100)
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
Biddeford Pool water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Biddeford Pool
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04006 | D | Maine Water Company Biddeford Saco Div | 42,508 |
All ZIP Codes in Biddeford Pool
- 04006 [D]
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 Biddeford Pool
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 Biddeford Pool's Housing Stock?
With 87% 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
The character of Biddeford Pool's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1965 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Biddeford Pool 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.
Biddeford Pool: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Biddeford Pool lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Biddeford Pool are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 339% above the Maine average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Biddeford Pool
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Biddeford Pool have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 87% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Biddeford Pool
32 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Biddeford Pool, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Biddeford Pool has a moderate flood history with 32 FEMA claims averaging $2,853 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>$2,400</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.
What You Can Do in Biddeford Pool
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 87% 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 Biddeford Pool, ME