Bedford, NH Home Safety: Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Bedford: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
The C shown for Bedford, NH is an average of Home Safety Scores across the city's ZIP codes; that composite blends several data sources, so it can move for reasons unrelated to water, and it is not a measurement of what comes out of any tap in the city.
How Bedford Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Bedford Water
- Homes built before 1986: 42% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.54.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bedford
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 3 shown below do not apply to the others among the 4 tied to Bedford, NH.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bedford, New Hampshire (population ~23,580), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 128,613 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bedford: C (67/100)
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
Bedford water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03110 | C | Manchester Water Works | 123,500 |
All ZIP Codes in Bedford
- 03110 [C]
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 Bedford
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Bedford
With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Plumbing materials follow installation dates, not medians. Bedford records a median build year of 1980, and a meaningful share of its homes date from before the 1986 federal lead restrictions.
Most homes in Bedford were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Bedford Homeowners
In Bedford, estimated remediation comes to 1% or less of the median home value.
Estimated remediation costs in Bedford can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 60% above the New Hampshire average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bedford
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.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Bedford
Historical NFIP data for Bedford contains 26 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $21,678. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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 $500 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 Bedford
- 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. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bedford, NH