Downingtown, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 33/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Downingtown: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
Across water systems in Downingtown, 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 Downingtown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Downingtown Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 91 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 50% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,600 per household.
Water Systems Serving Downingtown
With 3 utilities splitting service in Downingtown, PA, water accountability is distributed across 5 systems on the federal record.
- F
- F
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Downingtown, Pennsylvania (population ~52,524), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 99,329 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Downingtown: F (33/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Downingtown water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0022 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 1009 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19335 | F | 91 | 1 | Aqua Pa Uwchlan |
All ZIP Codes in Downingtown
- 19335 [F] - 91 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Key Contaminants Detected in Downingtown
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Downingtown's Housing Stock?
With 50% 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
The character of Downingtown's housing stock is one of deep historical layering - a median build year of 1984 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Downingtown 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.
Downingtown: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Downingtown sits in the low remediation-share tier - the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Downingtown are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,400–$4,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 118% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Downingtown
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 50% of Downingtown homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Downingtown
Historical NFIP data for Downingtown contains 467 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $24,273. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$3,600</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Downingtown
- 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 Contaminant 1009 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Downingtown's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 50% 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 Downingtown, PA