Lake Ariel, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 50/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Lake Ariel: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (9 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
The latest EPA cycle for Lake Ariel shows a low safety grade within PA - compliance gaps have persisted over multiple reporting periods, and the city currently holds a low grade in available EPA data.
How Lake Ariel Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Lake Ariel Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 255 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0024 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
Water Systems Serving Lake Ariel
Federal records list 5 water systems tied to Lake Ariel, PA. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 13,225 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lake Ariel: D (50/100)
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
Lake Ariel water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0024 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)
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 | 76 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 58 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 16 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2110 | Other | 14 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 14 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18436 | D | 255 | 9 | Roamingwood Sewer and Water |
All ZIP Codes in Lake Ariel
- 18436 [D] - 255 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Key Contaminants Detected in Lake Ariel
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Lake Ariel's Housing Stock?
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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Lake Ariel's median build year of 1986 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure - one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Lake Ariel 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.
Lake Ariel: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Middle of the range - Lake Ariel homeowners face a remediation share that calls for real financial attention without reaching crisis territory.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Lake Ariel. The estimated $1,750–$3,900 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 4% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Lake Ariel
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 58% of Lake Ariel homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Lake Ariel
Historical NFIP data for Lake Ariel contains 14 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $19,553. 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>$2,700</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 Lake Ariel
- 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 Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lake Ariel's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 58% 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 Lake Ariel, PA