Buena Vista, PA Home Safety: Home Safety 58/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Buena Vista: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Buena Vista, PA: a C, mid-scale.
How Buena Vista Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Buena Vista Water
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 95% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
Who Supplies Your Water in Buena Vista
Because water system records on this page are matched to Buena Vista, PA through ZIP codes rather than street addresses, the single system in the list below reflects that matching, while federal data connect 1 to the area overall. Anyone unsure which utility supplies a home can check the water bill or contact the utility directly.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Buena Vista, Pennsylvania (population ~899), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 686,000 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Buena Vista: C (58/100)
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
Buena Vista water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0040 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
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15018 | C | Pa Amer Water Company-pittsburgh | 686,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Buena Vista
- 15018 [C]
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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Buena Vista
With 95% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
By Census estimates, roughly half or more of the homes in Buena Vista were built before 1986; the median build year is 1902.
Over half of homes in Buena Vista were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Buena Vista
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Buena Vista
Historical NFIP data for Buena Vista contains 105 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $9,158. 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.
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 Buena Vista
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 95% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Buena Vista, PA