Sylvan Beach, NY Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Sylvan Beach, NY: mid-range safety grade, uneven compliance across service areas.
How Sylvan Beach Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Sylvan Beach Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.51 — above typical levels.
Sylvan Beach's Water Providers
Federal records list 2 water systems tied to Sylvan Beach, NY. Of those, 2 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sylvan Beach, New York (population ~547), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 352,345 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Sylvan Beach — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sylvan Beach: C (55/100)
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
Sylvan Beach water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Sylvan Beach
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13157 | C | OCWA | 350,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Sylvan Beach
- 13157 [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
Updated daily.
Sylvan Beach Community Health Snapshot
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
Sylvan Beach Infrastructure Age
With 65% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1951, Sylvan Beach falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Sylvan Beach 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Sylvan Beach
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Sylvan Beach is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Sylvan Beach. The estimated $1,100–$3,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 68% below the New York average.
Sylvan Beach: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Sylvan Beach have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 65% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Sylvan Beach: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
100% of ZIP codes in Sylvan Beach are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 36 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Sylvan Beach has a moderate flood history with 36 FEMA claims averaging $6,948 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>$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.
What You Can Do in Sylvan Beach
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 65% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sylvan Beach, NY