Burnside, PA: 8 Violations — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring across Burnside paints a mid-range picture within PA — solid compliance in some service zones, documented concerns in others. Most violations on record are concentrated in specific areas, and the overall grade has held in the middle tier without major shifts in recent monitoring cycles.
How Burnside Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Burnside Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 8 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Water Systems Serving Burnside
A single dominant system supplies most of Burnside, PA. That utility controls infrastructure decisions, rate structures, and EPA compliance reporting for most residential addresses served across those 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Burnside, Pennsylvania (population ~167), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 325 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Burnside: C (55/100)
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
Burnside water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Burnside
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2105 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15721 | C | 8 | 0 | Burnside Boro Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Burnside
- 15721 [C] — 8 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.
Key Contaminants Detected in Burnside
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Burnside's Housing Stock?
With 81% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Burnside's median build year of 1901 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Burnside 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.
Burnside: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The Burnside remediation share exceeds what lower-tier markets face — the cost-to-value ratio here is elevated, and the household financial perspective reflects a commitment that most homeowners need to plan for explicitly.
At 3.9% of home value, remediation costs in Burnside represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,600–$3,300. Home values here are 71% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Burnside
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.
Older stock in Burnside represents 81% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Burnside
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Burnside falls in moderate-exposure territory — 10 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Burnside has a moderate flood history with 10 FEMA claims averaging $1,462 per payout. 100% 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>$2,400</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 Burnside
- 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 Burnside's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 81% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Burnside, PA