Barto, PA: 2 Health Violations — 57/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in PA, Barto carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Barto Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Barto Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 43 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
Water Systems Serving Barto
Water delivery in Barto, PA is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 5 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Barto, Pennsylvania, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 5,327 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Barto: C (57/100)
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
Barto water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Barto
- 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 | 24 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 20 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 12 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Copper | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19504 | C | 43 | 2 | Upper Hanover Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Barto
- 19504 [C] — 43 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 Barto
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Barto's Housing Stock?
With 58% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Barto's median build year of 1989 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Barto 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.
Barto: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Barto lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Barto are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,750–$3,900 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 62% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Barto
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 58% pre-rule share in Barto keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Barto
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Barto falls in moderate-exposure territory — 6 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Barto has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $12,431 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>$2,700</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 Barto
- 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 Barto's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 58% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Barto, PA