Amberson, PA: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in PA, Amberson records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Amberson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Amberson Water
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Amberson
In Amberson, PA, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility — a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Amberson, Pennsylvania (population ~167), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 278 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Amberson — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Amberson: D (40/100)
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
Amberson water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Amberson
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17210 | D | DRY RUN WATER ASSN | 278 |
All ZIP Codes in Amberson
- 17210 [D]
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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Amberson
With 65% 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
What does a median build year of 1988 mean for water safety in Amberson? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Amberson 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Amberson Homeowners
Setting Amberson remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Amberson are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 2% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Amberson
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Amberson — 65% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Amberson
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 65% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Amberson, PA