Donora, PA Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Donora, EPA compliance data for PA sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
How Donora Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Donora Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 92% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
Donora's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Donora, PA are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Donora, Pennsylvania (population ~4,592), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 36,100 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Donora — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Donora: C (63/100)
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
Donora water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Donora
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15033 | C | AUTH OF BORO OF CHARLEROI | 27,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Donora
- 15033 [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.
Donora Infrastructure Age
With 92% 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
Donora's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1945 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Donora 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Donora
Remediation costs in Donora represent a substantial share of typical property values — the equity impact here is significant, and careful financial planning is essential rather than optional for most homeowners.
At 2.8% of home value, remediation costs in Donora represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $800–$2,600. Home values here are 73% below the Pennsylvania average.
Donora: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
92% of Donora housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Donora: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Over the multi-decade span captured by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, Donora has accumulated a relatively small number of flood claims. That history points to a community where flood exposure is present but contained — and where the pathways by which flooding can affect water quality (overwhelmed treatment plants, contaminated private wells, distribution backflow) remain low-probability events rather than recurring concerns.
Donora has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Donora
- 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 92% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Donora, PA