South Wales, NY: Lead Above EPA Action Level - Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for South Wales: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
South Wales, NY holds a middle-tier grade; review the underlying water system records for the reasons behind it.
How South Wales Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
South Wales Water: The Quick Version
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.042 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $4,980 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 12.35.
Water Systems Serving South Wales
Just one provider appears in the list below for South Wales, NY, among 1 on the federal list. A listing shows which system is tied to the area, not which one serves a particular street; the water bill or the utility itself confirms that for a given address.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South Wales, New York (population ~2,093), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 6,610 people region-wide. 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.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Wales: C (67/100)
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
South Wales water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0420 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 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 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14139 | C | East Aurora Village | 6,610 |
All ZIP Codes in South Wales
- 14139 [C]
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.
CDC Health Data for South Wales
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
How Old Is South Wales's Housing Stock?
With 83% 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
If you live in one of the pre-1986 homes in South Wales, a certified lab test for lead is the direct way to learn what your tap delivers; the median build year of 1961 is only context.
Over half of homes in South Wales 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.
South Wales: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Why does South Wales land in the elevated band? The estimated remediation figure, divided by the median home value, comes out higher than 2%, which is the cutoff this page uses for its top tier; that percentage compares two area estimates and does not describe what any single homeowner will pay.
Estimated remediation costs in South Wales equal about 2.1% of the median home value; how much that burdens a household depends on its finances. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $3,320–$6,640. Home values here are 33% below the New York average.
Protecting Children from Lead in South Wales
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.
No safe blood lead level in children has been identified, CDC says. In South Wales, the mean across ZIP codes of what water systems reported as their 90th-percentile lead results sits above 0.015 mg/L, and 83% of homes were built before 1986. A test of the tap a child drinks from shows the level in that home.
1 ZIP code (100% of the city's ZIP records) is served by a water system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for South Wales
Historical NFIP data for South Wales contains 2 flood insurance claims. 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 $4,980 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.
What You Can Do in South Wales
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Consider testing your home's tap water for lead, since household plumbing can affect its level.
- Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 83% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for South Wales, NY