Suffern, NY: 1 Health Violation — 79/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Suffern, NY: reliable drinking water, above-average safety record, few violations.
How Suffern Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Suffern Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 79% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.71.
Water Systems Serving Suffern
Residential addresses in Suffern, NY are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 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 Suffern, New York (population ~26,224), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 282,030 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Suffern: B (79/100)
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
Suffern 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2049 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2806 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10901 | B | 3 | 1 | Suffern Village |
All ZIP Codes in Suffern
- 10901 [B] — 3 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.
CDC Health Data for Suffern
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Suffern
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Suffern's Housing Stock?
With 79% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Suffern is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1978 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Suffern 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.
Suffern: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Suffern are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Suffern 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 35% above the New York average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Suffern
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 79% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Suffern.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Suffern
Across the multi-decade NFIP program, Suffern has logged 551 filed flood claims — a tally that corresponds with 100% of local ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. For water quality, the implications extend beyond property damage: when flooding reaches the magnitude this area's record implies, water supply systems face compounding stress. Treatment plants handling contaminated floodwater intake face sharply elevated contaminant loads. Private wells in low-lying FEMA zones are vulnerable to surface infiltration during each major event. Distribution networks can experience pressure-inversion backflow, drawing untreated water back into the supply. These are not remote possibilities at this exposure level.
Suffern has a significant flood history with 551 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $12,495 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 Suffern, NY