Catawissa, PA: 2 Violations — 51/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Catawissa, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern for PA — health-based violations are on file in several areas, and checking the specific system serving your address is a practical first step for concerned residents.
How Catawissa Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Catawissa Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 77% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Catawissa
As of current federal records, Catawissa, PA is served primarily by one water utility among 1 tracked system. That single provider handles infrastructure investment, rate adjustments, and regulatory reporting under EPA oversight.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Catawissa, Pennsylvania, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 5,528 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Catawissa: D (51/100)
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
Catawissa water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Catawissa
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17820 | D | 2 | 0 | Catawissa Municipal Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Catawissa
- 17820 [D] — 2 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.
Top Contaminants in Catawissa Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Catawissa
With 77% 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 Catawissa's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1964 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Catawissa 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Catawissa Homeowners
Viewed from a financial planning lens, Catawissa sits in the moderate remediation-share tier — the equity impact of addressing documented issues is real, and deliberate preparation separates smooth outcomes from disruptive ones for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Catawissa. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 1% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Catawissa
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.
Routinely in Catawissa, where 77% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Catawissa
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Catawissa has accumulated 156 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.
Catawissa has a moderate flood history with 156 FEMA claims averaging $20,670 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>$3,000</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 Catawissa
- 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 Radium-228 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Catawissa's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 77% 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 Catawissa, PA