Bolivar, PA: 13 Violations - Home Safety 46/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Bolivar: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
If you're researching Bolivar, PA tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average - health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Bolivar Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Bolivar Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 13 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0064 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 76% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Bolivar's Water Providers
Most residential addresses in Bolivar, PA are served by a single water utility - the dominant system among the 1 provider tracked in federal data.
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bolivar, Pennsylvania (population ~1,609), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 16,000 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 Bolivar: D (46/100)
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
Bolivar water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0064 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 4 | 1 |
| Radium-226 | Radionuclides | 4 | 1 |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 4 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15923 | D | 13 | 0 | Highridge Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Bolivar
- 15923 [D] - 13 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 Bolivar's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Bolivar Infrastructure Age
With 76% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Bolivar, the median build year of 1953 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 - the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing - and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Bolivar 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 Bolivar
Elevated equity share - Bolivar sits in the high tier when estimated remediation is measured against property values.
At 3.2% of home value, remediation costs in Bolivar represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,000–$4,100. Home values here are 56% below the Pennsylvania average.
Bolivar: 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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 76% of the Bolivar inventory was built in that earlier era - a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Bolivar: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Bolivar contains 4 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $1,373. 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>$3,000</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 Bolivar
- 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 Gross Alpha can reduce the most common contaminant found in Bolivar's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 76% 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 Bolivar, PA