Alton, NH: Lead Above EPA Limits — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
While Alton avoids NH's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Alton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Alton Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 11 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.21 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.77 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Alton
Federal drinking water records identify 5 systems in Alton, NH. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Alton, New Hampshire, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 3,684 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Alton: C (55/100)
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
Alton water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.2100 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 14 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03809 | C | 11 | 3 | Alton Water Works |
All ZIP Codes in Alton
- 03809 [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 Alton
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 Alton
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Alton's Housing Stock?
With 53% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Alton is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1986 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Alton 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.
Alton: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Alton, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Alton are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 9% below the New Hampshire average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Alton
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.
Despite Lead and Copper Rule oversight at the utility tier, citywide samples in Alton have moved beyond 0.015 mg/L — and 53% of local stock predates the ban on solder containing lead. The high-pre-1986 share combined with above-action samples leaves an in-home test and certified filtration via retailer networks as the household-tier tools, available for families with kids or pregnant residents. Periodic retesting after plumbing work or extended stagnation captures changes the initial draw cannot.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Alton
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Alton accumulating 1 claim and carrying 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Alton has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $4,707 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>$2,200</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 Alton
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Alton's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 53% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Alton, NH