Philadelphia, NY Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems in Philadelphia, NY serve households with few reported safety events.
How Philadelphia Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Philadelphia Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 62% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.45 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Philadelphia
2 water systems are tracked federally in Philadelphia, NY. The top 2 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Philadelphia, New York, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,983 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Philadelphia — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Philadelphia: B (83/100)
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
Philadelphia water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0015 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13673 | B | Philadelphia Village | 1,800 |
All ZIP Codes in Philadelphia
- 13673 [B]
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.
CDC Health Data for Philadelphia
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
How Old Is Philadelphia's Housing Stock?
With 62% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Reading the housing age data for Philadelphia — median build year 1987 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Philadelphia were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Philadelphia: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Philadelphia, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Philadelphia are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 53% below the New York average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Philadelphia
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 62% of the Philadelphia inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Philadelphia, NY