Duke Center, PA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to PA averages, Duke Center scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm and the city's grade reflects that ongoing shortfall.
How Duke Center Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Duke Center Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
Duke Center's Water Providers
While 1 water system appear in federal records for Duke Center, PA, one provider supplies the majority of residential connections — making it the central point of infrastructure and compliance accountability for most households.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Duke Center, Pennsylvania, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 708 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Duke Center — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Duke Center: 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
Duke Center water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Duke Center
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16729 | D | RIXFORD WATERWORKS ASSOCIATION | 234 |
All ZIP Codes in Duke Center
- 16729 [D]
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.
Duke Center Infrastructure Age
With 81% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Duke Center — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1949 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Duke Center 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 Duke Center
For most homeowners in Duke Center, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Duke Center are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 54% below the Pennsylvania average.
Duke Center: 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.
81% — that captures the slice of Duke Center housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Duke Center
- 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 81% 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 Duke Center, PA