Bernhards Bay, NY Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Bernhards Bay, NY: mid-range safety grade, uneven compliance across service areas.
How Bernhards Bay Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Bernhards Bay Water
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.62 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bernhards Bay
Residential addresses in Bernhards Bay, NY are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bernhards Bay, New York (population ~913), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,513 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bernhards Bay — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bernhards Bay: C (63/100)
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
Bernhards Bay water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Bernhards Bay
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13028 | C | Cleveland Village | 1,463 |
All ZIP Codes in Bernhards Bay
- 13028 [C]
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.
Health Outcomes in Bernhards Bay
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Bernhards Bay
With 67% 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
Bernhards Bay's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1955 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Bernhards Bay 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Bernhards Bay Homeowners
Given current Bernhards Bay property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier — an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Bernhards Bay. The estimated $1,100–$3,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 59% below the New York average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bernhards Bay
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 67% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Bernhards Bay.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Bernhards Bay
Flood exposure in Bernhards Bay is meaningful by NFIP measures — 7 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.
Bernhards Bay has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $11,692 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>$2,100</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 Bernhards Bay
- 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 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bernhards Bay, NY