Emmaus, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 33/100
3 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Emmaus: 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 →
If you're researching Emmaus, PA tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average - health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Emmaus Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Emmaus Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 113 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 - 5 systems appear in federal records.
- F
- F
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Emmaus, Pennsylvania (population ~18,693), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 65,495 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 3 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 Emmaus: 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
Emmaus water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 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)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 14 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
| Copper | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2005 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2010 | Other | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18049 | F | 113 | 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
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.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Emmaus
Historical NFIP data for Emmaus contains 47 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $14,809. 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>$2,100</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 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 Contaminant 0700 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.
- 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 Emmaus, PA