Center Harbor, NH Water Safety: 75/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to statewide averages in NH, Center Harbor scores well — health violations are below the norm and systems generally operate within federal standards.
How Center Harbor Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Center Harbor Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.77 — above typical levels.
Center Harbor's Water Providers
The structure of water supply in Center Harbor, NH is straightforward: one utility provides the bulk of residential service among 1 tracked system, concentrating rate-setting and infrastructure decisions under a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 998 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Center Harbor — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Center Harbor: B (75/100)
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
Center Harbor water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Center Harbor
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03226 | B | Patrician Shores | 225 |
All ZIP Codes in Center Harbor
- 03226 [B]
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.
Center Harbor Community Health Snapshot
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
Center Harbor Infrastructure Age
With 63% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Center Harbor's median build year of 1972 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Center Harbor 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Center Harbor
Across Center Harbor, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Center Harbor are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 7% above the New Hampshire average.
Center Harbor: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 63% pre-rule share in Center Harbor keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Center Harbor: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood insurance records under FEMA's NFIP show limited historical flood activity for Center Harbor. Understanding where a community falls on the exposure spectrum matters for water quality assessment because flooding operates as a compounding hazard: during significant flood events, treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, private wells can be infiltrated by surface runoff, and pressure changes in distribution systems can allow backflow of contaminated water. None of those mechanisms are absent here, but they require event conditions that the current NFIP record suggests have been infrequent.
Center Harbor has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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>$1,600</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Center Harbor, NH