Tonawanda, NY: High Radon Risk — 66/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
While Tonawanda avoids NY's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Tonawanda Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Tonawanda Water
- Average lead level: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.35 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Tonawanda
Tonawanda, NY draws its residential water from 2 separate providers among the 2 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Tonawanda, New York (population ~41,585), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 407,571 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Tonawanda — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tonawanda: C (66/100)
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
Tonawanda water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0021 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14150 | C | Tonawanda, Town Water Department | 72,571 |
| 14151 | C | Tonawanda, Town Water Department | 72,571 |
All ZIP Codes in Tonawanda
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 Tonawanda
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
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Tonawanda Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Tonawanda picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Tonawanda are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 50% below the New York average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Tonawanda
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 Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda
Flood activity in Tonawanda is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 44-claim record and 50% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Tonawanda has a moderate flood history with 44 FEMA claims averaging $3,701 per payout. 50% 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>$1,800</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 Tonawanda
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Tonawanda, NY