2026 Rankings

Least Reliable Water Systems in Delaware — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

86 ZIP codes ranked by Reliability Score #1: ZIP 19901 (Dover, DE) - 62/100

Out of 86 ZIP codes with data in Delaware, these are the lowest-ranked areas for reliability score. See also: National Least Reliable Water Systems in America | All Delaware Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 86
Lowest value 62/100
Median value 80/100
State Delaware

86 Lowest-Ranked ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Reliability Score Safety Score
1 19901 Dover DE 62/100 80/100
2 19903 Dover DE 62/100 93/100
3 19904 Dover DE 62/100 85/100
4 19905 Dover DE 62/100 93/100
5 19906 Dover DE 62/100 93/100
6 19941 Ellendale DE 65/100 94/100
7 19955 Kenton DE 65/100 98/100
8 19979 Viola DE 65/100 97/100
9 19950 Greenwood DE 67/100 89/100
10 19960 Lincoln DE 67/100 91/100
11 19936 Cheswold DE 70/100 94/100
12 19943 Felton DE 70/100 91/100
13 19944 Fenwick Island DE 70/100 79/100
14 19947 Georgetown DE 70/100 93/100
15 19956 Laurel DE 70/100 89/100
16 19958 Lewes DE 70/100 55/100
17 19961 Little Creek DE 70/100 94/100
18 19962 Magnolia DE 70/100 94/100
19 19966 Millsboro DE 70/100 80/100
20 19973 Seaford DE 70/100 84/100
21 19975 Selbyville DE 70/100 79/100
22 19977 Smyrna DE 70/100 87/100
23 19707 Hockessin DE 73/100 72/100
24 19709 Middletown DE 73/100 73/100
25 19710 Montchanin DE 73/100 75/100
26 19940 Delmar DE 73/100 95/100
27 19953 Hartly DE 73/100 95/100
28 19968 Milton DE 73/100 80/100
29 19731 Port Penn DE 75/100 83/100
30 19732 Rockland DE 75/100 55/100
31 19734 Townsend DE 75/100 83/100
32 19736 Yorklyn DE 75/100 55/100
33 19934 Camden Wyoming DE 75/100 73/100
34 19951 Harbeson DE 75/100 87/100
35 19964 Marydel DE 75/100 95/100
36 19969 Nassau DE 75/100 88/100
37 19980 Woodside DE 75/100 66/100
38 19967 Millville DE 77/100 94/100
39 19939 Dagsboro DE 78/100 83/100
40 19952 Harrington DE 78/100 93/100
41 19970 Ocean View DE 78/100 84/100
42 19701 Bear DE 80/100 70/100
43 19706 Delaware City DE 80/100 78/100
44 19708 Kirkwood DE 80/100 53/100
45 19720 New Castle DE 80/100 73/100
46 19721 New Castle DE 80/100 83/100
47 19730 Odessa DE 80/100 83/100
48 19733 Saint Georges DE 80/100 53/100
49 19735 Winterthur DE 80/100 60/100
50 19902 Dover Afb DE 80/100 99/100
51 19930 Bethany Beach DE 80/100 75/100
52 19931 Bethel DE 80/100 73/100
53 19933 Bridgeville DE 80/100 95/100
54 19938 Clayton DE 80/100 87/100
55 19945 Frankford DE 80/100 90/100
56 19946 Frederica DE 80/100 85/100
57 19954 Houston DE 80/100 66/100
58 19963 Milford DE 80/100 85/100
59 19971 Rehoboth Bch DE 80/100 55/100
60 19801 Wilmington DE 93/100 73/100
61 19802 Wilmington DE 93/100 73/100
62 19803 Wilmington DE 93/100 73/100
63 19804 Wilmington DE 93/100 68/100
64 19805 Wilmington DE 93/100 73/100
65 19806 Wilmington DE 93/100 78/100
66 19807 Wilmington DE 93/100 90/100
67 19808 Wilmington DE 93/100 73/100
68 19809 Wilmington DE 93/100 78/100
69 19810 Wilmington DE 93/100 73/100
70 19850 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
71 19880 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
72 19884 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
73 19885 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
74 19886 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
75 19887 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
76 19890 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
77 19891 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
78 19892 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
79 19893 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
80 19894 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
81 19895 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
82 19896 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
83 19897 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
84 19898 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
85 19899 Wilmington DE 93/100 83/100
86 19703 Claymont DE 95/100 55/100

Methodology

Water system reliability scores (0-100) combine violation frequency, violation recency, resolution rate, and system size. Systems with repeated health-based violations and unresolved issues score lowest. The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance, distinct from the broader Home Safety Score.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a low water reliability score mean?

A low reliability score (below 50) indicates a water system with frequent violations, poor resolution rates, or recurring compliance issues. These systems may have aging infrastructure, inadequate treatment, or management challenges.

How is reliability different from safety score?

The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance (violations, resolution, compliance). The Home Safety Score is broader, also including lead risk, radon, and flood data. A ZIP code can have a reliable water system but still have high radon or flood risk.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →


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Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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