Carmichaels, PA Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Although much of Carmichaels meets baseline drinking water standards, some PA-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.
How Carmichaels Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Carmichaels Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 79% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
Water Systems Serving Carmichaels
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Carmichaels, PA's residential water connections out of 3 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania (population ~4,578), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 48,041 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Carmichaels — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Carmichaels: 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
Carmichaels water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Carmichaels
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15320 | C | SOUTHWESTERN PA WATER AUTH | 40,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Carmichaels
- 15320 [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
Updated daily.
How Old Is Carmichaels's Housing Stock?
With 79% 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
Because the majority of Carmichaels's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1962 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Carmichaels 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.
Carmichaels: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Looking at how documented remediation costs fit within Carmichaels property values, the equity share lands in the moderate tier — a finding that positions the household financial perspective between routine maintenance and a significant budget commitment, where most homeowners can successfully address documented issues by treating the expense as a planned financial priority rather than an unexpected one.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Carmichaels. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 31% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Carmichaels
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 79% pre-rule share in Carmichaels keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Carmichaels
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Carmichaels has accumulated 14 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Carmichaels has a moderate flood history with 14 FEMA claims averaging $2,677 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>$1,600</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 Carmichaels
- 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 79% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Carmichaels, PA