Swanzey, NH Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, Swanzey holds an above-average drinking water safety record for NH — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Swanzey Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Swanzey Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 56% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.22 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Swanzey
Federal records list 5 water systems tied to Swanzey, NH. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Swanzey, New Hampshire, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 6,486 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Swanzey — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Swanzey: B (72/100)
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
Swanzey water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Swanzey
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03446 | B | N Swanzey Water and Fire Prct | 1,400 |
All ZIP Codes in Swanzey
- 03446 [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.
CDC Health Data for Swanzey
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
How Old Is Swanzey's Housing Stock?
With 56% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1987, Swanzey falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Swanzey 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.
Swanzey: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because property values in Swanzey comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Swanzey are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 31% below the New Hampshire average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Swanzey
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.
56% — that captures the slice of Swanzey housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Swanzey, NH