Bala Cynwyd, PA: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 40/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Bala Cynwyd: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
Bala Cynwyd ranks below average for tap water safety in PA - health-based violations are documented across multiple service areas in recent EPA monitoring data.
How Bala Cynwyd Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Bala Cynwyd Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 30 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,100 per household.
Water Systems Serving Bala Cynwyd
Federal records list 1 water system serving Bala Cynwyd, PA. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania (population ~10,439), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 822,600 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. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bala Cynwyd: D (40/100)
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
Bala Cynwyd water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 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 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19004 | D | 30 | 1 | Aqua Pa Main System |
All ZIP Codes in Bala Cynwyd
- 19004 [D] - 30 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 Bala Cynwyd
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Bala Cynwyd's Housing Stock?
With 83% 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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Bala Cynwyd's median build year of 1956 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure - one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Bala Cynwyd 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.
Bala Cynwyd: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Given current Bala Cynwyd valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low - most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Bala Cynwyd are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,200–$4,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 189% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Bala Cynwyd
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 83% of Bala Cynwyd stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Bala Cynwyd
Historical NFIP data for Bala Cynwyd contains 26 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $65,969. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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>$3,100</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 Bala Cynwyd
- 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 Barium can reduce the most common contaminant found in Bala Cynwyd's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 83% 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 Bala Cynwyd, PA