CITY REPORT PA

Center Valley, PA: 9 Violations — 53/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Systems across Center Valley show elevated violation counts against PA benchmarks — the low safety grade reflects that ongoing compliance pattern.

How Center Valley Compares

Center Valley53/100
Pennsylvania avg55/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
5
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
D · 53
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$398K
Median Home Value
$2,900
Est. Remediation (0.7% of home value)

Key Facts for Center Valley Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 9 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.

Center Valley's Water Providers

Multiple utilities divide Center Valley, PA's water service — 3 leading providers among 5 on the federal register.

CITY OF BETHLEHEM
Serves ~117,259 people · 9 violations
53
/100
Upper Saucon Twp Water Supply
Serves ~7,300 people · 9 violations
53
/100
Desales University
Serves ~2,000 people · 9 violations
53
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Center Valley, Pennsylvania (population ~9,501), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 126,688 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 Center Valley: D (53/100)

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

Center Valley water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Center Valley
  • 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 16 1
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
18034 D 9 0 Upper Saucon Twp Water Supply

All ZIP Codes in Center Valley

  • 18034 [D] — 9 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What's in Center Valley's Water?

Contaminant 0700 16 violations
Other
Surface Water Treatment Rule 2 violations
Treatment Technique
Pathogens may not be adequately removed

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Center Valley Infrastructure Age

1997
Median Build Year
45%
Built Before 1986
16%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 45% 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

Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, Center Valley shows a median build year of 1997 — a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.

1997
Median Year Built
45%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
16%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (16%) 1970–1986 (29%) Post-1986 (55%)

Most homes in Center Valley were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Center Valley

What does remediation cost in financial context for Center Valley homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.

Median Home Value
$398,300
Est. Remediation
$2,900
Remediation as % of home value 0.7%

Remediation costs in Center Valley are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,900–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 87% above the Pennsylvania average.

Center Valley: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

45%
Homes Built Before 1986

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.

Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 45% of Center Valley homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Center Valley: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

The NFIP claim record for Center Valley — 16 filed incidents — reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways — runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow — all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.

16
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$16,267
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~1
Est. Claims/Year

Center Valley has a moderate flood history with 16 FEMA claims averaging $16,267 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>$2,900</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 Center Valley

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Contaminant 0700 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Center Valley's water.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 45% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
  4. Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Center Valley, PA?
Center Valley has an average water safety score of 53/100 (Grade D). 9 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Center Valley have?
Center Valley water systems have a total of 9 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
How does Center Valley compare to Pennsylvania average?
Center Valley has an average water safety score of 53/100, which is below the Pennsylvania state average of 55/100.
How many water systems serve Center Valley?
Center Valley is served by 5 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 9,501 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Center Valley?
Estimated remediation costs in Center Valley average $2,900 per household, ranging from $1,900 to $4,100. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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