Bethlehem, PA: 6 Health Violations — 61/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drilling into federal monitoring figures for Bethlehem in PA, the pattern is middle-of-the-road — some utilities have documented MCL exceedances or treatment technique violations in recent years, while others have operated without a single flag, making the city's grade a genuine average rather than a rounded-down high.
How Bethlehem Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Bethlehem, PA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Bethlehem score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Bethlehem Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 36 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,483 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bethlehem
With 3 utilities splitting service in Bethlehem, PA, water accountability is distributed across 9 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (population ~128,119), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 239,270 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bethlehem: C (61/100)
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
Bethlehem water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 6 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 14 | 6 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 14 | 6 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 6 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18015 | C | 6 | 1 | City of Bethlehem |
| 18016 | C | 6 | 1 | City of Bethlehem |
| 18017 | C | 6 | 1 | City of Bethlehem |
| 18018 | C | 6 | 1 | City of Bethlehem |
| 18020 | C | 6 | 1 | City of Bethlehem |
| 18025 | C | 6 | 1 | City of Bethlehem |
All ZIP Codes in Bethlehem
- 18015 [C] — 6 violations ⚠
- 18016 [C] — 6 violations ⚠
- 18017 [C] — 6 violations ⚠
- 18018 [C] — 6 violations ⚠
- 18020 [C] — 6 violations ⚠
- 18025 [C] — 6 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.
Top Contaminants in Bethlehem Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Bethlehem
With 72% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Bethlehem — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1965 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem Homeowners
The household financial picture for Bethlehem homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Bethlehem are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,550 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 46% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bethlehem
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Bethlehem have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 72% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Bethlehem
How does Bethlehem's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 355 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 67% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Bethlehem has a moderate flood history with 355 FEMA claims averaging $17,475 per payout. 67% 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>$2,483</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 Bethlehem
- 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 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Bethlehem's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bethlehem, PA