CITY REPORT NY

Portland, NY Water - Home Safety Score unavailable

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$162K
Median Home Value
$3,000
Est. Remediation (1.8% of home value)

Key Facts for Portland Residents

  • Average lead level: 0.0046 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 78% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 14.07 - above typical levels.

Portland's Water Providers

Supply infrastructure in Portland, NY runs through a single dominant provider - the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Portland, New York, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 849 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.

The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.

Water Sources

Portland water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0046 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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
14769 Pomfret North End Water District 360

All ZIP Codes in Portland

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

Portland Community Health Snapshot

11.2%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.6%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
16.7%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 11.2% ↑
Diabetes 12.6% ↑
Mental Health 16.7% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Portland Infrastructure Age

1956
Median Build Year
78%
Built Before 1986
64%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 78% 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

Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones - the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 - define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1956, Portland falls squarely within the older range - meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.

1956
Median Year Built
78%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
64%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (64%) 1970–1986 (14%) Post-1986 (22%)

Over half of homes in Portland 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 Portland

Remediation costs in Portland represent a moderate share of typical home values - worth budgeting for carefully, though within reach for most homeowners who plan ahead.

Median Home Value
$162,000
Est. Remediation
$3,000
Remediation as % of home value 1.8%

Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Portland. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 55% below the New York average.

Portland: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

78%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0046
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

78% - that captures the slice of Portland housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Portland: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

2
Total FEMA Flood Claims

Historical NFIP data for Portland contains 2 flood insurance claims.

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. The <strong>$3,000</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Portland water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Portland is 0.0046 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Portland?
Portland is served by 1 public water system across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 849 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Portland?
Estimated remediation costs in Portland average $3,000 per household, ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
HomeCitiesNew York → Portland, NY

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Portland, NY Water - Home Safety Score unavailable. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ny/portland/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ny-portland,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Portland, NY Water - Home Safety Score unavailable}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ny/portland/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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