Garland, PA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Garland shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within PA — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Garland Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Garland Water
- Homes built before 1986: 80% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Garland
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Garland, PA — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Garland, Pennsylvania, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 142 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Garland — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Garland: 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
Garland water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Garland
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16416 | D | MIRACLE MOUNTAIN RANCH | 98 |
All ZIP Codes in Garland
- 16416 [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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Garland
With 80% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Garland, where the median build year is 1975, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Garland 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Garland Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Garland picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Garland are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 52% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Garland
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 80% of Garland stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results 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 Garland
- 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 80% 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 Garland, PA