Chelsea, NY: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Chelsea shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within NY — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Chelsea Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Chelsea Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 92% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.45.
Water Systems Serving Chelsea
Residential addresses in Chelsea, NY are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 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 Chelsea, New York (population ~232), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 16,434 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Chelsea — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chelsea: D (53/100)
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
Chelsea water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Chelsea
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12512 | D | Castle Point Medical Center | 1,500 |
All ZIP Codes in Chelsea
- 12512 [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 Chelsea
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 Chelsea's Housing Stock?
With 92% 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, Chelsea is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1903 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Chelsea 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.
Chelsea: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When remediation costs are measured against Chelsea home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Chelsea are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,600–$5,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 20% above the New York average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Chelsea
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 92% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Chelsea.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Chelsea
Flood exposure in Chelsea is meaningful by NFIP measures — 2 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.
Chelsea has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $68,274 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>$3,700</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 Chelsea
- 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 92% 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 Chelsea, NY