South Cairo, NY: 2 Violations — 68/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in NY, South Cairo carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How South Cairo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About South Cairo Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0035 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.48 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in South Cairo
Residential addresses in South Cairo, NY are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South Cairo, New York, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 601 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Cairo: C (68/100)
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
South Cairo water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0035 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12482 | C | 2 | 0 | Tuscany Meadows Mhp |
All ZIP Codes in South Cairo
- 12482 [C] — 2 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 South Cairo
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 South Cairo Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in South Cairo
With 67% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in South Cairo, the median build year of 1976 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in South Cairo 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 South Cairo Homeowners
What should South Cairo property owners understand before approaching remediation at this cost-to-value tier? That the equity share is elevated enough to treat this as a formal financial decision — one where knowing the full scope and prioritizing documented issues by urgency shape the outcome more than any single variable, given where this market falls on the remediation-share scale.
At 2.2% of home value, remediation costs in South Cairo represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,600–$5,500. Home values here are 54% below the New York average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in South Cairo
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 67% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in South Cairo.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in South Cairo
FEMA data shows 100% of South Cairo's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 7 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
South Cairo has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $57,729 per payout. 100% 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>$3,700</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.
What You Can Do in South Cairo
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in South Cairo's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for South Cairo, NY