Greencastle, PA: 12 Violations — 57/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in PA, Greencastle lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Greencastle Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Greencastle Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0052 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
Greencastle's Water Providers
Water supply in Greencastle, PA follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 6 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 20,335 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Greencastle: C (57/100)
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
Greencastle water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0052 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atrazine | Organic | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1085 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17225 | C | 12 | 0 | Greencastle Area Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Greencastle
- 17225 [C] — 12 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 Greencastle's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Greencastle Infrastructure Age
With 58% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Greencastle sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1971 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Greencastle 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Greencastle
The household financial perspective in Greencastle reflects a moderate cost-to-value ratio — an equity share that is not trivially small but remains within the range where most homeowners can address documented water and safety issues by treating the expense as a real line item in property planning rather than a discretionary one.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Greencastle. The estimated $1,900–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 25% above the Pennsylvania average.
Greencastle: 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.
Wherever 58% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Greencastle — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Greencastle: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Greencastle's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 15 NFIP claims on record and 100% 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.
Greencastle has a moderate flood history with 15 FEMA claims averaging $2,977 per payout. 100% 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>$2,900</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 Greencastle
- 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 Atrazine can reduce the most common contaminant found in Greencastle's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 58% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Greencastle, PA