Adamstown, PA: 2 Violations — 61/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Adamstown lands near the PA median for water safety — compliance results are mixed, and the city's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability across service areas rather than one problem driving the whole picture.
How Adamstown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Adamstown Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 78% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Water Systems Serving Adamstown
With 2 utilities splitting service in Adamstown, PA, water accountability is distributed across 2 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Adamstown, Pennsylvania (population ~950), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 8,535 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Adamstown: C (61/100)
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
Adamstown water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Adamstown
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19501 | C | 2 | 0 | Adamstown Borough |
All ZIP Codes in Adamstown
- 19501 [C] — 2 violations
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.
Key Contaminants Detected in Adamstown
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Adamstown's Housing Stock?
With 78% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Adamstown — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1956 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Adamstown 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.
Adamstown: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Viewed from a financial planning lens, Adamstown sits in the moderate remediation-share tier — the equity impact of addressing documented issues is real, and deliberate preparation separates smooth outcomes from disruptive ones for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Adamstown. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 6% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Adamstown
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Adamstown have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 78% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Adamstown
How does Adamstown's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 1 claim — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Adamstown has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $1,274 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Adamstown
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Contaminant 0700 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Adamstown's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 78% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Adamstown, PA