Gray, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring data from Gray, PA tells a below-average story — health violations are present and system-level detail is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions.
How Gray Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Gray Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0567 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 100% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $6,400 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Gray
In Gray, PA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gray, Pennsylvania (population ~382), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 800 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gray: D (40/100)
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
Gray water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0567 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Copper | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15544 | D | 14 | 0 | Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp |
All ZIP Codes in Gray
- 15544 [D] — 14 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.
Top Contaminants in Gray Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Gray
With 100% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Gray is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1903 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Gray 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 Gray Homeowners
Looking at how documented remediation costs fit within Gray's property market, the equity share lands in the elevated tier — a result that positions the household financial perspective as one requiring structured preparation, where mapping costs against household budget, documenting scope early, and sequencing by urgency are the practical tools that distinguish manageable outcomes from financially disruptive ones.
At 5.6% of home value, remediation costs in Gray represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,000–$8,800. Home values here are 46% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Gray
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.
100% — that captures the slice of Gray housing built before the federal ban on solder containing lead. Aggregate utility samples have also moved past the action threshold, meaning the system-level data and the housing-inventory data point the same direction. Households with kids or pregnant residents face a practical question that only a faucet sample can answer for one specific address, with certified filter options through retailer networks available where confirmed results warrant it.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Gray
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Gray's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 100% 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 Gray, PA