Bloomsburg, PA: High Radon Risk — 43/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Bloomsburg, PA: water systems collectively below average — violations documented.
How Bloomsburg Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Bloomsburg Residents
- Average lead level: 0.008 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Bloomsburg's Water Providers
Structurally, Bloomsburg, PA's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 8 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 29,324 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bloomsburg — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bloomsburg: D (43/100)
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
Bloomsburg water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0080 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17815 | D | Veolia Water Pa Inc. Bloomsburg | 29,382 |
All ZIP Codes in Bloomsburg
- 17815 [D]
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.
Bloomsburg Infrastructure Age
With 73% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Bloomsburg's housing stock carries a median build year of 1978. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Bloomsburg 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Bloomsburg
The cost-to-value ratio in Bloomsburg is in the moderate range — neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Bloomsburg. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 2% above the Pennsylvania average.
Bloomsburg: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
When older housing represents 73% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Bloomsburg address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Bloomsburg: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Unlike communities where NFIP data shows minimal flood history, Bloomsburg's record documents 1423 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — a combination that moves flood-related water quality risk from the background into the foreground of any complete local water assessment. Flooding can overwhelm treatment capacity, contaminate wells, and trigger distribution backflow; at this level of exposure, those mechanisms have likely been activated during significant flood events.
Bloomsburg has a significant flood history with 1,423 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $32,080 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$3,000</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 Bloomsburg
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 73% 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 Bloomsburg, PA