Hempstead, NY: 9 Health Violations — 89/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Residents of Hempstead generally live with tap water that beats the NY safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.
How Hempstead Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Hempstead Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 24 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.69.
Hempstead's Water Providers
Water service in Hempstead, NY is split across 3 utilities out of 8 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Hempstead, New York (population ~63,078), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 603,003 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hempstead: A (89/100)
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
Hempstead water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 3 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 1019 | Other | 12 | 3 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 3 |
| Contaminant 2040 | Other | 4 | 3 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11549 | A | 8 | 3 | Town of Hempstead Water Department |
| 11550 | B | 8 | 3 | Town of Hempstead Water Department |
| 11551 | A | 8 | 3 | Liberty Utilities New York - Merrick |
All ZIP Codes in Hempstead
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.
Hempstead 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
What's in Hempstead's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Hempstead
In Hempstead, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Hempstead are relatively low compared to home values. The $700–$2,367 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 23% above the New York average.
Hempstead: 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.
Lead risk in Hempstead appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Hempstead: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Taken together, Hempstead's 40 NFIP flood insurance claims and 33% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Hempstead has a moderate flood history with 40 FEMA claims averaging $17,611 per payout. 33% 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>$1,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hempstead, NY