Brewster, NY: 2 Violations — 61/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in NY, Brewster carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Brewster Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Brewster Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 71% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.88.
Water Systems Serving Brewster
Brewster, NY is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 9 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Brewster, New York, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 20,055 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Brewster: C (61/100)
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
Brewster water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2806 | Other | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10509 | C | 2 | 0 | Brewster Village |
All ZIP Codes in Brewster
- 10509 [C] — 2 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.
CDC Health Data for Brewster
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Brewster
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Brewster's Housing Stock?
With 71% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Brewster's median build year of 1976 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Brewster 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.
Brewster: Remediation Cost in Perspective
What does remediation cost in financial context for Brewster homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Brewster are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% above the New York average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Brewster
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.
Older stock in Brewster represents 71% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Brewster
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Brewster falls in moderate-exposure territory — 26 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Brewster has a moderate flood history with 26 FEMA claims averaging $6,105 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>$2,400</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 Brewster
- 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 Contaminant 2806 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Brewster's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 71% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Brewster, NY