Bronx, NY: High Radon Risk — 51/100 (2026)
25 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Bronx, water quality data indicates below-average safety by NY standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.
How Bronx Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Bronx, NY
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Bronx's 25 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Bronx Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 84% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,368 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.97 — above typical levels.
Bronx's Water Providers
Federal drinking water records identify 5 systems in Bronx, NY. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 25 ZIP codes in Bronx, New York (population ~1,426,241), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 8,599,605 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bronx — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bronx: D (51/100)
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
Bronx water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Bronx
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 20 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 3 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10451 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
| 10452 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
| 10453 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
| 10454 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
| 10455 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
| 10456 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
| 10457 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
| 10458 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
| 10459 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
| 10460 | D | NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM | 8,271,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Bronx
- 10451 [D]
- 10452 [D]
- 10453 [D]
- 10454 [D]
- 10455 [D]
- 10456 [D]
- 10457 [D]
- 10458 [D]
- 10459 [D]
- 10460 [D]
- 10461 [D]
- 10462 [D]
- 10463 [D]
- 10464 [C]
- 10465 [D]
- 10466 [D]
- 10467 [D]
- 10468 [D]
- 10469 [D]
- 10470 [B]
- 10471 [C]
- 10472 [D]
- 10473 [D]
- 10474 [D]
- 10475 [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.
Bronx 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
Bronx Infrastructure Age
With 84% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Bronx is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1951 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Bronx 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 Bronx
Placing remediation in the context of Bronx's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Bronx are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,568–$3,308 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 42% above the New York average.
Bronx: 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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Bronx — 84% 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.
Bronx: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Because Bronx's NFIP claim count reaches 1932 and 92% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA-designated flood zones, flood exposure here operates differently than it does in lower-claim communities. In areas with isolated flood events, water-quality infrastructure can typically absorb the stress and recover between events. In communities with repeated high-volume flooding, treatment plants face recurring overload conditions, private wells in FEMA-designated zones accumulate repeated infiltration episodes, and distribution systems experience repeated pressure events that can drive backflow. The claim record for this area points to that second category: a flood environment where water infrastructure stress is periodic and documented, not theoretical.
Bronx has a significant flood history with 1,932 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $20,337 per claim. With 92% 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>$2,368</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 Bronx
- 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 84% 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 Bronx, NY