Lattimer Mines, PA: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Lattimer Mines falls below the PA baseline — elevated violation rates are on record.
How Lattimer Mines Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Lattimer Mines Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 98% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
Water Systems Serving Lattimer Mines
Federal records list 2 water systems tied to Lattimer Mines, PA. Of those, 2 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 Lattimer Mines, Pennsylvania (population ~737), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 45,500 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Lattimer Mines — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lattimer Mines: 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
Lattimer Mines water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Lattimer Mines
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18234 | D | Hca Hazleton Division | 45,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Lattimer Mines
- 18234 [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.
How Old Is Lattimer Mines's Housing Stock?
With 98% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1902, Lattimer Mines falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Lattimer Mines 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.
Lattimer Mines: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Lattimer Mines lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Lattimer Mines are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 4% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Lattimer Mines
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Lattimer Mines have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 98% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Lattimer Mines
- 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 98% 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 Lattimer Mines, PA