Emmaus, PA: 3 Health Violations — 65/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Emmaus, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for PA.
How Emmaus Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Emmaus Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 15 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Emmaus
3 independent water providers serve Emmaus, PA — 6 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Emmaus, Pennsylvania (population ~18,693), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 197,274 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Emmaus: C (65/100)
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
Emmaus water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 3 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 12 | 3 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18049 | C | 5 | 1 | Emmaus Borough Public Water |
| 18098 | C | 5 | 1 | Emmaus Borough Public Water |
| 18099 | C | 5 | 1 | Emmaus Borough Public Water |
All ZIP Codes in Emmaus
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.
Top Contaminants in Emmaus Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Emmaus Homeowners
At current valuations, Emmaus sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Emmaus are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,350–$2,967 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 32% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Emmaus
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.
Lead risk in Emmaus appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Emmaus
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Emmaus, that record documents 47 claims and 33% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Emmaus has a moderate flood history with 47 FEMA claims averaging $13,234 per payout. 33% 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>$2,100</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 Emmaus
- 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 Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Emmaus's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Emmaus, PA