Surry, ME: 5 Health Violations — 56/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in ME, Surry lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Surry Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Surry Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 11 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 54% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.24 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Surry
While 1 water system appear in federal records for Surry, ME, one provider supplies the majority of residential connections — making it the central point of infrastructure and compliance accountability for most households.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Surry, Maine (population ~1,834), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,910 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Surry: C (56/100)
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
Surry water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04684 | C | 11 | 5 | Ellsworth Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Surry
- 04684 [C] — 11 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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Surry
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 Surry
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Surry's Housing Stock?
With 54% 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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Surry's median build year of 1986 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Surry 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.
Surry: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Surry property market, documented remediation claims a moderate slice of typical equity — real but budgetable.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Surry. The estimated $1,900–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 7% above the Maine average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Surry
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 54% of Surry homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Surry
100% of ZIP codes in Surry are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 4 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Surry has a moderate flood history with 4 FEMA claims averaging $1,688 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>$3,000</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 Surry
- 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 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Surry's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 54% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Surry, ME