Fresh Meadows, NY Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although conditions vary by service area, Fresh Meadows's water systems collectively show below-average compliance within NY — health-based violations are documented throughout the city, and the overall grade reflects a pattern rather than isolated incidents.
How Fresh Meadows Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Fresh Meadows Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 90% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.03.
Fresh Meadows's Water Providers
With 2 utilities splitting service in Fresh Meadows, NY, water accountability is distributed across 2 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Fresh Meadows, New York (population ~56,225), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 8,271,143 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Fresh Meadows — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fresh Meadows: 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
Fresh Meadows water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Fresh Meadows
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11365 | D | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 11366 | C | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Fresh Meadows
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.
Fresh Meadows 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
Fresh Meadows Infrastructure Age
With 90% 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
The median home in Fresh Meadows was built in 1956 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Fresh Meadows 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 Fresh Meadows
In Fresh Meadows, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Fresh Meadows are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 162% above the New York average.
Fresh Meadows: 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 interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 90% of Fresh Meadows homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Fresh Meadows: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
233 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Fresh Meadows, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Fresh Meadows has a moderate flood history with 233 FEMA claims averaging $4,966 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>$1,600</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 Fresh Meadows
- 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 90% 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 Fresh Meadows, NY