Charlestown, NH: Lead Above EPA Limits — 58/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Charlestown, NH tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How Charlestown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Charlestown Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.019 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $6,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.24 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Charlestown
Charlestown, NH draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 4 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Charlestown, New Hampshire, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 5,272 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Charlestown: C (58/100)
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
Charlestown water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0190 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03603 | C | 1 | 0 | Charlestown Water Works |
All ZIP Codes in Charlestown
- 03603 [C] — 1 violation
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.
Health Outcomes in Charlestown
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
Top Contaminants in Charlestown Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Charlestown
With 70% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Charlestown, the median build year of 1972 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Charlestown 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Charlestown Homeowners
Cost-to-value data for Charlestown produces a high remediation-share classification — the equity impact here is elevated, placing this market in the tier where financial preparation is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach documented issues.
At 3.5% of home value, remediation costs in Charlestown represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,000–$8,900. Home values here are 50% below the New Hampshire average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Charlestown
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 Charlestown have moved beyond 0.015 mg/L — and 70% 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Charlestown
FEMA data shows 100% of Charlestown's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 1 claim. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Charlestown has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $30,052 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>$6,400</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 Charlestown
- 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 Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Charlestown's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Charlestown, NH