Lake Ariel, PA: 1 Health Violation — 61/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Lake Ariel lands near the PA median for water safety — compliance results are mixed, and the city's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability across service areas rather than one problem driving the whole picture.
How Lake Ariel Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Lake Ariel Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 30 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 9 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.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 13,225 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lake Ariel: C (61/100)
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
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 10 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 10 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18436 | C | 30 | 1 | Roamingwood Sewer and Water |
All ZIP Codes in Lake Ariel
- 18436 [C] — 30 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.
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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Lake Ariel
How does Lake Ariel's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 14 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Lake Ariel has a moderate flood history with 14 FEMA claims averaging $11,173 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>$2,700</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 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 Revised Total Coliform 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lake Ariel, PA