Hightstown, NJ: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 44/100
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Hightstown: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
Because the grade blends several data sources, a D or F for Hightstown, NJ does not by itself say which one drove it; the ZIP-level reports show the underlying data.
How Hightstown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Hightstown Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 19 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0017 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 74% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.58.
Water Systems Serving Hightstown
Service in Hightstown, NJ can differ by address: 3 water systems are tied to the area in federal records, and the 3 largest are listed with their violation records.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hightstown, New Jersey (population ~29,321), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 69,528 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hightstown: D (44/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Hightstown water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0017 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Gross Alpha (excl. radon and uranium) | Radionuclides | 6 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Combined Uranium | Radionuclides | 4 | 1 |
| Combined Radium (-226 and -228) | Radionuclides | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08520 | D | 19 | 1 | East Windsor Mua |
All ZIP Codes in Hightstown
- 08520 [D] - 19 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Hightstown
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Hightstown
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Hightstown's Housing Stock?
With 74% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
By Census estimates, roughly half or more of the homes in Hightstown were built before 1986; the median build year is 1975.
Over half of homes in Hightstown were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Hightstown: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Estimated remediation for Hightstown is a small fraction of median property value - one percent or less - though the ratio does not describe any single household.
Estimated remediation costs in Hightstown can be compared with local home values. The $550–$1,400 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 25% below the New Jersey average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hightstown
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Hightstown
Historical NFIP data for Hightstown contains 48 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $15,052. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $900 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Hightstown
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Lead and Copper Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Hightstown: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 74% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hightstown, NJ