Ambridge, PA: 3 Health Violations - Home Safety 53/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Ambridge: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
If you're researching Ambridge, PA tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average - health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Ambridge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Ambridge Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0093 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 97% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Water Systems Serving Ambridge
Ambridge, PA draws its residential water from 2 separate providers among the 2 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ambridge, Pennsylvania (population ~11,394), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 27,281 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ambridge: D (53/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Ambridge water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0093 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15003 | D | 16 | 3 | Ambridge Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Ambridge
- 15003 [D] - 16 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Key Contaminants Detected in Ambridge
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Ambridge's Housing Stock?
With 97% 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 Ambridge - median build year 1947 - 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 Ambridge 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.
Ambridge: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property values and remediation costs in Ambridge combine to produce a high equity share - the financial burden here is significant.
At 2.5% of home value, remediation costs in Ambridge represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,900–$4,800. Home values here are 44% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ambridge
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.
97% of Ambridge housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark - household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Ambridge
Historical NFIP data for Ambridge contains 41 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $11,534. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$3,000</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Ambridge
- 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 Chlorite can reduce the most common contaminant found in Ambridge's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 97% 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 Ambridge, PA