Belle Mead, NJ: High Radon Risk — 47/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
Water compliance in Belle Mead, NJ ranks below average — documented gaps in multiple service areas.
How Belle Mead Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Belle Mead Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 38% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.99.
Water Systems Serving Belle Mead
While 1 water system appear in federal records for Belle Mead, NJ, one provider supplies the majority of residential connections — making it the central point of infrastructure and compliance accountability for most households.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Belle Mead, New Jersey (population ~12,081), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 45,450 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Belle Mead — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Belle Mead: D (47/100)
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
Belle Mead water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Belle Mead
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08502 | D | SOUTH BRUNSWICK TWP W DI | 45,450 |
All ZIP Codes in Belle Mead
- 08502 [D]
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 Belle Mead
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 Belle Mead's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, Belle Mead shows a median build year of 1998 — a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.
Most homes in Belle Mead were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Belle Mead: Remediation Cost in Perspective
What does remediation cost in financial context for Belle Mead homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Belle Mead are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 58% above the New Jersey average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Belle Mead
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Belle Mead have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 38% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Belle Mead
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Belle Mead shows 87 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Belle Mead has a moderate flood history with 87 FEMA claims averaging $27,124 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>$2,400</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 Belle Mead
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 38% 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 Belle Mead, NJ