Lost Creek, PA: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to PA averages, Lost Creek scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm and the city's grade reflects that ongoing shortfall.
How Lost Creek Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Lost Creek Water
- Homes built before 1986: 100% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Lost Creek
Structurally, Lost Creek, PA's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 3 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lost Creek, Pennsylvania (population ~187), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 15,906 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Lost Creek — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lost Creek: D (53/100)
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
Lost Creek water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Lost Creek
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17946 | D | Aqua Shenandoah | 9,500 |
All ZIP Codes in Lost Creek
- 17946 [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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Lost Creek
With 100% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Lost Creek's housing stock carries a median build year of 1901. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Lost Creek 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Lost Creek Homeowners
Property equity in Lost Creek sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Lost Creek. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 24% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lost Creek
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.
When older housing represents 100% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Lost Creek address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Lost Creek
While some flood zone mapping exists for Lost Creek, NFIP claim volume remains modest, signaling that flood events have not materially stressed local water infrastructure in the program's tracking period.
Lost Creek has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Lost Creek
- 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 100% 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 Lost Creek, PA