Worst Infrastructure: Delaware — 2026 Rankings

Out of 84 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	84
Highest risk	62%
Median risk	29%
Average risk	33%
State	Delaware

Top 84 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	19710	Montchanin	DE	62%	Very High	75/100
2	19736	Yorklyn	DE	58%	High	55/100
3	19733	Saint Georges	DE	54%	High	53/100
4	19805	Wilmington	DE	51%	High	73/100
5	19806	Wilmington	DE	51%	High	78/100
6	19802	Wilmington	DE	50%	High	73/100
7	19809	Wilmington	DE	48%	High	78/100
8	19731	Port Penn	DE	47%	High	83/100
9	19804	Wilmington	DE	47%	High	68/100
10	19801	Wilmington	DE	46%	High	73/100
11	19730	Odessa	DE	44%	High	83/100
12	19803	Wilmington	DE	44%	High	73/100
13	19931	Bethel	DE	44%	High	73/100
14	19703	Claymont	DE	43%	High	55/100
15	19807	Wilmington	DE	43%	High	90/100
16	19810	Wilmington	DE	43%	High	73/100
17	19706	Delaware City	DE	42%	High	78/100
18	19808	Wilmington	DE	41%	High	73/100
19	19980	Woodside	DE	41%	High	66/100
20	19936	Cheswold	DE	39%	Moderate	94/100
21	19956	Laurel	DE	39%	Moderate	89/100
22	19979	Viola	DE	39%	Moderate	97/100
23	19732	Rockland	DE	38%	Moderate	55/100
24	19954	Houston	DE	38%	Moderate	66/100
25	19973	Seaford	DE	38%	Moderate	84/100
26	19707	Hockessin	DE	37%	Moderate	72/100
27	19720	New Castle	DE	37%	Moderate	73/100
28	19947	Georgetown	DE	37%	Moderate	93/100
29	19713	Newark	DE	36%	Moderate	71/100
30	19944	Fenwick Island	DE	36%	Moderate	79/100
31	19950	Greenwood	DE	36%	Moderate	89/100
32	19952	Harrington	DE	36%	Moderate	93/100
33	19943	Felton	DE	34%	Moderate	91/100
34	19958	Lewes	DE	34%	Moderate	55/100
35	19960	Lincoln	DE	34%	Moderate	91/100
36	19711	Newark	DE	33%	Moderate	71/100
37	19901	Dover	DE	33%	Moderate	80/100
38	19961	Little Creek	DE	31%	Moderate	94/100
39	19963	Milford	DE	31%	Moderate	85/100
40	19904	Dover	DE	30%	Moderate	85/100
41	19940	Delmar	DE	30%	Moderate	95/100
42	19977	Smyrna	DE	30%	Moderate	87/100
43	19850	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
44	19880	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
45	19884	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
46	19885	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
47	19886	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
48	19887	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
49	19890	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
50	19891	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
51	19892	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
52	19893	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
53	19894	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
54	19895	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
55	19896	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
56	19897	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
57	19898	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
58	19899	Wilmington	DE	29%	Moderate	83/100
59	19903	Dover	DE	29%	Moderate	93/100
60	19905	Dover	DE	29%	Moderate	93/100
61	19906	Dover	DE	29%	Moderate	93/100
62	19934	Camden Wyoming	DE	29%	Moderate	73/100
63	19971	Rehoboth Bch	DE	29%	Moderate	55/100
64	19962	Magnolia	DE	27%	Moderate	94/100
65	19975	Selbyville	DE	27%	Moderate	79/100
66	19930	Bethany Beach	DE	26%	Moderate	75/100
67	19933	Bridgeville	DE	26%	Moderate	95/100
68	19939	Dagsboro	DE	26%	Moderate	83/100
69	19946	Frederica	DE	26%	Moderate	85/100
70	19951	Harbeson	DE	26%	Moderate	87/100
71	19938	Clayton	DE	25%	Moderate	87/100
72	19702	Newark	DE	24%	Moderate	71/100
73	19941	Ellendale	DE	24%	Moderate	94/100
74	19953	Hartly	DE	24%	Moderate	95/100
75	19966	Millsboro	DE	24%	Moderate	80/100
76	19967	Millville	DE	24%	Moderate	94/100
77	19968	Milton	DE	24%	Moderate	80/100
78	19955	Kenton	DE	23%	Moderate	98/100
79	19701	Bear	DE	22%	Moderate	70/100
80	19964	Marydel	DE	22%	Moderate	95/100
81	19734	Townsend	DE	20%	Low	83/100
82	19945	Frankford	DE	20%	Low	90/100
83	19970	Ocean View	DE	20%	Low	84/100
84	19709	Middletown	DE	16%	Low	73/100

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: 2026-06-03.

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.