Riverhead, NY: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 72/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Riverhead: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
In ZipCheckup's scoring, Riverhead, NY lands in the A-B grade tier.
How Riverhead Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Riverhead Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 32 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.13.
Who Supplies Your Water in Riverhead
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 3 shown below do not apply to the others among the 4 tied to Riverhead, NY.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Riverhead, New York (population ~32,921), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 1,135,972 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Riverhead: B (72/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Riverhead water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0030 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
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Nitrite | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Asbestos | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Endrin | Organic | 2 | 1 |
| BHC-gamma (Lindane) | Organic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11901 | B | 32 | 1 | Riverhead Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Riverhead
- 11901 [B] - 32 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Riverhead
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
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. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Plumbing risk in older housing is tied to the period before 1986, when lead pipes and lead solder were still permitted in new plumbing. Riverhead's median build year is 1971, and properties from before that year might still contain lead-bearing joints or pipes. Much of that risk sits inside individual properties, which city-level water quality averages don't capture.
Over half of homes in Riverhead were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. 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
Measured against the median home value, the estimated cost of fixing the issues flagged for Riverhead lands in the lowest of the three tiers this page uses.
Estimated remediation costs in Riverhead can be compared with local home values. The $550–$1,400 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. 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 that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Riverhead
Historical NFIP data for Riverhead contains 510 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $22,757. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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 $900 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Riverhead, NY