Riverhead, NY: 2 Health Violations — 75/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water in Riverhead, NY scores well — low violation counts, above-average safety grade.
How Riverhead Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Riverhead Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.13.
Who Supplies Your Water in Riverhead
3 independent water providers serve Riverhead, NY — 5 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Riverhead, New York (population ~32,921), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 1,136,012 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Riverhead: B (75/100)
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
Riverhead water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Copper | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2049 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2428 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Chloroform | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11901 | B | 7 | 2 | Riverhead Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Riverhead
- 11901 [B] — 7 violations ⚠
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.
Health Outcomes in Riverhead
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
Top Contaminants in Riverhead Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Riverhead
With 58% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Riverhead's median build year of 1971 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Riverhead 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Riverhead Homeowners
Across Riverhead, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Riverhead are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,350–$3,200 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 21% above the New York average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Riverhead
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.
Routinely in Riverhead, where 58% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Riverhead
Flood risk in Riverhead reaches a level where its interaction with water quality becomes a concrete planning concern rather than an abstract possibility. NFIP data records 510 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.
Riverhead has a significant flood history with 510 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $19,011 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>$2,100</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 Riverhead, NY