Boalsburg, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 57/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Boalsburg: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Water systems across Boalsburg produce average compliance results for PA overall - pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How Boalsburg Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Boalsburg Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 29 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0037 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 52% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
Boalsburg's Water Providers
Water supply in Boalsburg, PA follows a divided structure: 2 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 2 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania (population ~5,197), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 78,000 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. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Boalsburg: C (57/100)
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
Boalsburg water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0037 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 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 | 6 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| PFOA | PFAS | 2 | 1 |
| PFNA | PFAS | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16827 | C | 29 | 0 | State College Boro Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Boalsburg
- 16827 [C] - 29 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.
What's in Boalsburg's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Boalsburg Infrastructure Age
With 52% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages - lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 - but in Boalsburg, where the median build year is 1984, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Boalsburg 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 Boalsburg
Property equity in Boalsburg runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs - a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Boalsburg are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,900–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 96% above the Pennsylvania average.
Boalsburg: 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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 52% of Boalsburg stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Boalsburg: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Boalsburg contains 5 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $6,059. 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>$2,900</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 Boalsburg
- 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 Boalsburg's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 52% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Boalsburg, PA