Binghamton, NY: 10 Health Violations — 52/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Binghamton, EPA compliance records fall well below NY averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Binghamton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Binghamton, NY
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Binghamton's 5 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Binghamton Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 105 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 87% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,640 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.91 — above typical levels.
Binghamton's Water Providers
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Binghamton, NY — out of 10 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Binghamton, New York, covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 81,687 people.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 10 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Binghamton: D (52/100)
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
Binghamton water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 5 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 42 | 5 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 24 | 5 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 6 | 5 |
| Contaminant 1052 | Other | 6 | 5 |
| Contaminant 2049 | Other | 6 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13901 | D | 21 | 2 | City of Binghamton, |
| 13902 | C | 21 | 2 | VESTAL CONSOLIDATED W.D. #1 |
| 13903 | D | 21 | 2 | City of Binghamton, |
| 13904 | D | 21 | 2 | City of Binghamton, |
| 13905 | D | 21 | 2 | City of Binghamton, |
All ZIP Codes in Binghamton
- 13901 [D] — 21 violations ⚠
- 13902 [C] — 21 violations ⚠
- 13903 [D] — 21 violations ⚠
- 13904 [D] — 21 violations ⚠
- 13905 [D] — 21 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
Updated daily.
Binghamton Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Binghamton's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Binghamton Infrastructure Age
With 87% 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 1952 places Binghamton'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 Binghamton 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Binghamton
Looking at how documented remediation costs fit within Binghamton's property market, the equity share lands in the elevated tier — a result that positions the household financial perspective as one requiring structured preparation, where mapping costs against household budget, documenting scope early, and sequencing by urgency are the practical tools that distinguish manageable outcomes from financially disruptive ones.
At 2.5% of home value, remediation costs in Binghamton represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,370–$5,080. Home values here are 60% below the New York average.
Binghamton: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Locally, 87% of Binghamton homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Binghamton: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Over the multi-decade span covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Binghamton has accumulated 662 flood claims — a total that reflects a community where significant flooding is a recurring, documented feature of the local environment. That history has direct relevance to water quality. Each major flood event activates contamination pathways that are absent or dormant during dry conditions: treatment plants handling floodwater-saturated intake face sharply elevated contaminant loads; private wells in low-lying FEMA-designated zones — which cover 100% of local ZIP codes — can be infiltrated by surface runoff carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; distribution systems under pressure during flooding can experience backflow that draws untreated water into the supply.
Binghamton has a significant flood history with 662 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $40,994 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$3,640</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 Binghamton
- 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. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Binghamton's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 87% 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 Binghamton, NY