Worst Infrastructure: Delaware — 2026 Rankings

Out of 64 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Delaware, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	64
Highest risk	NaN%
Median risk	NaN%
Average risk	NaN%
State	Delaware

Top 64 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	19701	Bear	DE	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
2	19702	Newark	DE	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
3	19703	Claymont	DE	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
4	19706	Delaware City	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
5	19707	Hockessin	DE	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
6	19709	Middletown	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
7	19710	Montchanin	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
8	19711	Newark	DE	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
9	19713	Newark	DE	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
10	19720	New Castle	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
11	19730	Odessa	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
12	19731	Port Penn	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
13	19732	Rockland	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
14	19733	Saint Georges	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
15	19734	Townsend	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
16	19736	Yorklyn	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
17	19801	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
18	19802	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
19	19803	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
20	19804	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
21	19805	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
22	19806	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
23	19807	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
24	19808	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
25	19809	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
26	19810	Wilmington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	66/100
27	19901	Dover	DE	NaN%	Unknown	100/100
28	19904	Dover	DE	NaN%	Unknown	100/100
29	19930	Bethany Beach	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
30	19931	Bethel	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
31	19933	Bridgeville	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
32	19934	Camden Wyoming	DE	NaN%	Unknown	100/100
33	19936	Cheswold	DE	NaN%	Unknown	100/100
34	19938	Clayton	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
35	19939	Dagsboro	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
36	19940	Delmar	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
37	19941	Ellendale	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
38	19943	Felton	DE	NaN%	Unknown	100/100
39	19944	Fenwick Island	DE	NaN%	Unknown	82/100
40	19945	Frankford	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
41	19946	Frederica	DE	NaN%	Unknown	100/100
42	19947	Georgetown	DE	NaN%	Unknown	81/100
43	19950	Greenwood	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
44	19951	Harbeson	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
45	19952	Harrington	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
46	19953	Hartly	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
47	19954	Houston	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
48	19955	Kenton	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
49	19956	Laurel	DE	NaN%	Unknown	97/100
50	19958	Lewes	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
51	19960	Lincoln	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
52	19962	Magnolia	DE	NaN%	Unknown	100/100
53	19963	Milford	DE	NaN%	Unknown	100/100
54	19964	Marydel	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
55	19966	Millsboro	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
56	19967	Millville	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
57	19968	Milton	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
58	19970	Ocean View	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
59	19971	Rehoboth Bch	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
60	19973	Seaford	DE	NaN%	Unknown	96/100
61	19975	Selbyville	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
62	19977	Smyrna	DE	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
63	19979	Viola	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—
64	19980	Woodside	DE	NaN%	Unknown	—

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-08-31.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.