Erie, PA: 28 Health Violations — 80/100 (2026)
28 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Erie tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within PA.
How Erie Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Erie, PA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Erie's 28 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Erie Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 672 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0011 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,300 per household.
Erie's Water Providers
Residential water in Erie, PA is supplied by 3 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 8 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 28 ZIP codes in Erie, Pennsylvania, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 179,893 people.
28 of 28 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 28 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Erie: B (80/100)
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
Erie water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0011 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 203 | 28 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 116 | 28 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 87 | 28 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 87 | 28 |
| Contaminant 2063 | Other | 29 | 28 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16501 | B | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
| 16502 | B | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
| 16503 | C | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
| 16504 | B | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
| 16505 | B | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
| 16506 | B | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
| 16507 | B | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
| 16508 | B | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
| 16509 | B | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
| 16510 | B | 24 | 1 | Erie City Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Erie
- 16501 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16502 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16503 [C] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16504 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16505 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16506 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16507 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16508 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16509 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16510 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16511 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16512 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16514 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16515 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16522 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16530 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16531 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16532 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16533 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16534 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16538 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16541 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16544 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16546 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16550 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16553 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16563 [B] — 24 violations ⚠
- 16565 [B] — 24 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
Updated daily.
What's in Erie's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Erie
When remediation costs are measured against Erie home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Erie are relatively low compared to home values. The $550–$2,286 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 26% below the Pennsylvania average.
Erie: 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.
Lead risk in Erie 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.
Erie: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Erie's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 230 NFIP claims on record and 46% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
Erie has a moderate flood history with 230 FEMA claims averaging $12,148 per payout. 46% 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>$1,300</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Erie, PA