Damascus, PA Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for Damascus, PA reveals a split picture — tap water quality varies meaningfully by service area and the city's grade reflects that variability.
How Damascus Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Damascus Water
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Damascus
Damascus, PA runs on one primary water provider among the 1 federally tracked system. A single utility is responsible for the overwhelming share of residential supply — including the infrastructure, compliance filings, and rate schedules that govern service for most households.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Damascus, Pennsylvania, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,242 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Damascus — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Damascus: 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
Damascus water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Damascus
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18415 | C | HILLTOP VILLAGE ASSOCIATION | 86 |
All ZIP Codes in Damascus
- 18415 [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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Damascus
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
Damascus's residential inventory spans multiple construction eras, with the median build year of 1981 landing in a zone where pre- and post-1986 homes are both well represented. That split matters because homes built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints — a plumbing practice banned that year — while those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line. Whether a specific household sits on the older or newer end of this distribution is the primary variable shaping its individual exposure risk.
Most homes in Damascus 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Damascus Homeowners
Property equity in Damascus runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Damascus are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 54% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Damascus
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.
Locally, 45% of Damascus homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Damascus
Although Damascus's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 43 claims and FEMA maps place 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Damascus has a moderate flood history with 43 FEMA claims averaging $35,093 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>$2,200</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 Damascus
- 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 45% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Damascus, PA