South Bound Brook, NJ: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
South Bound Brook, NJ water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How South Bound Brook Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
South Bound Brook Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 80% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $4,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.99.
Water Systems Serving South Bound Brook
Most residential addresses in South Bound Brook, NJ are served by a single water utility — the dominant system among the 1 provider tracked in federal data.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South Bound Brook, New Jersey (population ~4,833), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 134,000 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in South Bound Brook — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Bound Brook: D (40/100)
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
South Bound Brook water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for South Bound Brook
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08880 | D | NJ AMERICAN WATER - LIBERTY | 134,000 |
All ZIP Codes in South Bound Brook
- 08880 [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 South Bound Brook
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 South Bound Brook's Housing Stock?
With 80% 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
What does a median build year of 1967 mean for water safety in South Bound Brook? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in South Bound Brook 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.
South Bound Brook: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The South Bound Brook equity share sits above the low tier but short of the range where remediation becomes a heavy financial burden — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and deliberate planning is the key practical lever for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in South Bound Brook. The estimated $3,000–$6,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 29% below the New Jersey average.
Protecting Children from Lead in South Bound Brook
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in South Bound Brook — 80% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for South Bound Brook
Flood exposure in South Bound Brook is meaningful by NFIP measures — 93 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
South Bound Brook has a moderate flood history with 93 FEMA claims averaging $65,358 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 South Bound Brook
- 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 80% 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 South Bound Brook, NJ