Rome, NY: 12 Health Violations — 78/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Rome tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for NY — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Rome Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Rome Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.51 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Rome
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Rome, NY — out of 6 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Rome, New York (population ~41,418), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 166,410 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 12 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rome: B (78/100)
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
Rome water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 15 | 4 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13440 | B | 4 | 3 | Rome City |
| 13441 | B | 4 | 3 | Rome City |
| 13442 | B | 4 | 3 | Rome City |
| 13449 | B | 4 | 3 | Rome City |
All ZIP Codes in Rome
- 13440 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 13441 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 13442 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 13449 [B] — 4 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 Rome
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 Rome Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Rome Homeowners
Property equity in Rome runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Rome are relatively low compared to home values. The $500–$2,750 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 57% below the New York average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Rome
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 Rome 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Rome
Taken together, Rome's 44 NFIP flood insurance claims and 25% 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.
Rome has a moderate flood history with 44 FEMA claims averaging $17,087 per payout. 25% 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>$1,300</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 Rome, NY