Cold Spring Harbor, NY Water Safety: 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Cold Spring Harbor, water safety data for NY reveals moderate quality — federal standards are generally met, but documented exceptions exist in specific service areas.
How Cold Spring Harbor Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Cold Spring Harbor Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 84% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.13.
Water Systems Serving Cold Spring Harbor
Residential water service in Cold Spring Harbor, NY is divided among 2 separate utilities, drawn from 2 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cold Spring Harbor, New York (population ~2,956), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,181,760 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Cold Spring Harbor — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cold Spring Harbor: C (65/100)
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
Cold Spring Harbor water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Cold Spring Harbor
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11724 | C | SOUTH HUNTINGTON WATER DISTRICT | 81,760 |
All ZIP Codes in Cold Spring Harbor
- 11724 [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.
CDC Health Data for Cold Spring Harbor
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 Cold Spring Harbor's Housing Stock?
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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Cold Spring Harbor sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1952 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Cold Spring Harbor 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.
Cold Spring Harbor: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Setting Cold Spring Harbor remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Cold Spring Harbor are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 334% above the New York average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Cold Spring Harbor
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.
Wherever 84% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Cold Spring Harbor — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Cold Spring Harbor
A moderate NFIP record for Cold Spring Harbor — 18 insurance claims paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Cold Spring Harbor has a moderate flood history with 18 FEMA claims averaging $8,081 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>$1,800</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 Cold Spring Harbor
- 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cold Spring Harbor, NY