Bensalem, PA: 6 Health Violations - Home Safety 34/100
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Bensalem: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (6 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Across water systems in Bensalem, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern for PA - health-based violations are on file in several areas, and checking the specific system serving your address is a practical first step for concerned residents.
How Bensalem Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Bensalem Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 42 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 75% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
Water Systems Serving Bensalem
3 water systems are tracked federally in Bensalem, PA. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
- F
- F
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bensalem, Pennsylvania (population ~57,079), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 934,222 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. 6 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bensalem: F (34/100)
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
Bensalem 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19020 | F | 42 | 6 | Aqua Pa Bensalem |
All ZIP Codes in Bensalem
- 19020 [F] - 42 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 Bensalem
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Bensalem's Housing Stock?
With 75% 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 1974 mean for water safety in Bensalem? 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 Bensalem 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.
Bensalem: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Placing remediation in the context of Bensalem's property market, the equity share is low - most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Bensalem are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 61% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Bensalem
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.
If 75% of the Bensalem inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder - and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L - the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Bensalem
Historical NFIP data for Bensalem contains 294 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $19,829. 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>$1,800</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 Bensalem
- 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 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Bensalem's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 75% 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 Bensalem, PA