2026 Rankings

Worst Infrastructure: New Hampshire — 2026 Rankings

Last updated: July 19, 2026

267 ZIP codes ranked by Pipe Failure Risk #1: ZIP 03273 (South Sutton, NH) - 64%
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 267 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in New Hampshire, 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 267
Highest risk 64%
Median risk 44%
Average risk 44%
State New Hampshire

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Pipe Failure Risk Risk Level Safety Score
1 03273 South Sutton NH 64% Very High 63/100
2 03609 North Walpole NH 63% Very High 53/100
3 03221 Bradford NH 62% Very High 53/100
4 03441 Ashuelot NH 62% Very High 63/100
5 03302 Concord NH 60% High 58/100
6 03305 Concord NH 60% High 50/100
7 03229 Contoocook NH 59% High 72/100
8 03301 Concord NH 59% High 53/100
9 03584 Lancaster NH 59% High 70/100
10 03064 Nashua NH 58% High 83/100
11 03235 Franklin NH 58% High 83/100
12 03238 Glencliff NH 58% High 49/100
13 03768 Lyme NH 58% High 58/100
14 03869 Rollinsford NH 58% High 40/100
15 03060 Nashua NH 57% High 78/100
16 03582 Groveton NH 57% High 55/100
17 03593 Randolph NH 57% High 53/100
18 03607 South Acworth NH 57% High 53/100
19 03838 Glen NH 57% High 15/100
20 03450 Harrisville NH 56% High 53/100
21 03581 Gorham NH 56% High 70/100
22 03883 South Tamworth NH 56% High 53/100
23 03231 East Andover NH 55% High 53/100
24 03101 Manchester NH 54% High 80/100
25 03103 Manchester NH 54% High 75/100
26 03256 New Hampton NH 54% High 33/100
27 03465 Troy NH 54% High 72/100
28 03886 Tamworth NH 54% High 43/100
29 03104 Manchester NH 53% High 75/100
30 03263 Pittsfield NH 53% High 75/100
31 03448 Gilsum NH 53% High 63/100
32 03451 Hinsdale NH 53% High 75/100
33 03752 Goshen NH 53% High 63/100
34 03777 Orford NH 53% High 75/100
35 03086 Wilton NH 52% High 75/100
36 03259 North Sandwich NH 52% High 40/100
37 03303 Concord NH 52% High 53/100
38 03750 Etna NH 52% High 53/100
39 03849 Madison NH 52% High 12/100
40 03216 Andover NH 51% High 51/100
41 03233 Elkins NH 51% High 53/100
42 03260 North Sutton NH 51% High 53/100
43 03449 Hancock NH 51% High 75/100
44 03605 Lempster NH 51% High 53/100
45 03801 Portsmouth NH 51% High 77/100
46 03897 Wonalancet NH 51% High 40/100
47 03220 Belmont NH 50% High 53/100
48 03293 Woodstock NH 50% High 75/100
49 03574 Bethlehem NH 50% High 52/100
50 03748 Enfield NH 50% High 70/100
51 03781 Plainfield NH 50% High 75/100
52 03832 Eaton Center NH 50% High 40/100
53 03864 Ossipee NH 50% High 38/100
54 03047 Greenfield NH 49% High 53/100
55 03242 Henniker NH 49% High 54/100
56 03275 Suncook NH 49% High 64/100
57 03440 Antrim NH 49% High 75/100
58 03580 Franconia NH 49% High 56/100
59 03741 Canaan NH 49% High 52/100
60 03773 Newport NH 49% High 54/100
61 03850 Melvin Village NH 49% High 40/100
62 03865 Plaistow NH 49% High 65/100
63 03875 Silver Lake NH 49% High 40/100
64 03043 Francestown NH 48% High 72/100
65 03457 Nelson NH 48% High 53/100
66 03570 Berlin NH 48% High 83/100
67 03595 Twin Mountain NH 48% High 72/100
68 03597 West Stewartstown NH 48% High 75/100
69 03601 Acworth NH 48% High 53/100
70 03745 Cornish NH 48% High 63/100
71 03779 Piermont NH 48% High 53/100
72 03823 Madbury NH 48% High 46/100
73 03835 Farmington NH 48% High 75/100
74 03048 Greenville NH 47% High 55/100
75 03049 Hollis NH 47% High 73/100
76 03082 Lyndeborough NH 47% High 53/100
77 03102 Manchester NH 47% High 75/100
78 03223 Campton NH 47% High 52/100
79 03241 Hebron NH 47% High 75/100
80 03266 Rumney NH 47% High 49/100
81 03307 Loudon NH 47% High 40/100
82 03452 Jaffrey NH 47% High 71/100
83 03603 Charlestown NH 47% High 58/100
84 03743 Claremont NH 47% High 77/100
85 03816 Center Tuftonboro NH 47% High 31/100
86 03867 Rochester NH 47% High 76/100
87 03878 Somersworth NH 47% High 71/100
88 03894 Wolfeboro NH 47% High 69/100
89 03749 Enfield Center NH 47% High 53/100
90 03063 Nashua NH 46% High 83/100
91 03079 Salem NH 46% High 69/100
92 03222 Bristol NH 46% High 73/100
93 03227 Center Sandwich NH 46% High 40/100
94 03243 Hill NH 46% High 72/100
95 03257 New London NH 46% High 75/100
96 03262 North Woodstock NH 46% High 70/100
97 03467 Westmoreland NH 46% High 58/100
98 03602 Alstead NH 46% High 75/100
99 03755 Hanover NH 46% High 83/100
100 03766 Lebanon NH 46% High 74/100

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: 2026-07-19.

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.

Explore More Rankings

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

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
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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