Lock Haven, PA: 15 Violations — 41/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're researching Lock Haven, PA tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average — health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Lock Haven Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Lock Haven Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 15 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Lock Haven's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Lock Haven, PA are served by 3 primary water providers out of 5 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania (population ~17,722), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 29,325 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 Lock Haven: D (41/100)
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
Lock Haven water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Uranium | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17745 | D | 15 | 0 | City of Lock Haven Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Lock Haven
- 17745 [D] — 15 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 Lock Haven's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Lock Haven Infrastructure Age
With 75% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Lock Haven, the median build year of 1964 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Lock Haven 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 Lock Haven
Homeowners in Lock Haven are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Lock Haven. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 15% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lock Haven: 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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 75% of the Lock Haven inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Lock Haven: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood exposure in Lock Haven is meaningful by NFIP measures — 266 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Lock Haven has a moderate flood history with 266 FEMA claims averaging $7,999 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>$2,400</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 Lock Haven
- 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 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lock Haven's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 75% 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 Lock Haven, PA