East Rockaway, NY Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Drinking water quality in East Rockaway has lagged behind NY benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How East Rockaway Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Facts for East Rockaway Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 92% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.69.
East Rockaway's Water Providers
2 independent water providers serve East Rockaway, NY — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in East Rockaway, New York (population ~10,390), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 244,700 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in East Rockaway — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for East Rockaway: D (50/100)
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
East Rockaway water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for East Rockaway
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11518 | D | ROCKVILLE CENTRE (V) | 24,700 |
All ZIP Codes in East Rockaway
- 11518 [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.
East Rockaway 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
East Rockaway Infrastructure Age
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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. East Rockaway's median build year of 1957 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in East Rockaway 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 East Rockaway
Because property values in East Rockaway comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in East Rockaway 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 63% above the New York average.
East Rockaway: 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.
Older stock in East Rockaway represents 92% 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.
East Rockaway: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood risk in East Rockaway reaches a level where its interaction with water quality becomes a concrete planning concern rather than an abstract possibility. NFIP data records 2206 claims, and 100% of the area's ZIP codes are within FEMA-designated flood zones. At this exposure level, the mechanisms connecting major flood events to water quality disruption — treatment overload, well contamination, distribution backflow — have likely been activated repeatedly over the multi-decade NFIP tracking window.
East Rockaway has a significant flood history with 2,206 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $40,696 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>$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 East Rockaway
- 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 East Rockaway, NY