Hillsborough, NJ: High Radon Risk — 35/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Hillsborough has lagged behind NJ benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Hillsborough Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Hillsborough Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 54% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $4,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.99.
Water Systems Serving Hillsborough
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Hillsborough, NJ — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hillsborough, New Jersey, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 43,708 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Hillsborough — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hillsborough: F (35/100)
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
Hillsborough water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Hillsborough
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08844 | F | FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP DEPT OF PUBLIC WORKS | 57,150 |
All ZIP Codes in Hillsborough
- 08844 [F]
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 Hillsborough
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 Hillsborough's Housing Stock?
With 54% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1985 places Hillsborough's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Hillsborough 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.
Hillsborough: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Hillsborough are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Hillsborough are relatively low compared to home values. The $3,000–$6,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 11% above the New Jersey average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hillsborough
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Hillsborough. 54% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Hillsborough
Although Hillsborough's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 281 claims and FEMA maps place 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Hillsborough has a moderate flood history with 281 FEMA claims averaging $53,289 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>$4,300</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 Hillsborough
- 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 54% 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 Hillsborough, NJ