Glen, NH: Lead Above EPA Limits — 15/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Glen, water quality data indicates below-average safety by NH standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.
How Glen Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Glen Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 27 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.023 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.86 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Glen
In Glen, NH, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 6 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Glen, New Hampshire (population ~1,152), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 5,380 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 21 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Glen: F (15/100)
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
Glen water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0230 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 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 28 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03838 | F | 27 | 21 | Lower Bartlett Water Pct |
All ZIP Codes in Glen
- 03838 [F] — 27 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 Glen
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 Glen
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Glen's Housing Stock?
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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Glen 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 Glen 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.
Glen: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Glen, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Glen are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,900–$4,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 10% above the New Hampshire average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Glen
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.
63% — that captures the slice of Glen housing built before the federal ban on solder containing lead. Aggregate utility samples have also moved past the action threshold, meaning the system-level data and the housing-inventory data point the same direction. Households with kids or pregnant residents face a practical question that only a faucet sample can answer for one specific address, with certified filter options through retailer networks available where confirmed results warrant it.
<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 Glen
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Glen accumulating 13 claims 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.
Glen has a moderate flood history with 13 FEMA claims averaging $16,662 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 Glen
- 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 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Glen's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 63% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Glen, NH