Manheim, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits - Home Safety 35/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Manheim: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
For households across Manheim, below-average water safety data and recurring compliance violations documented by PA EPA records make it worthwhile to verify the specific system serving your address - system-level detail is the most actionable reference point available.
How Manheim Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Manheim Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 43 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.1995 mg/L - exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 68% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,600 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Manheim
In Manheim, PA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 5 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
- F
- F
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Manheim, Pennsylvania (population ~23,257), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 52,133 people region-wide. 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. 4 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Manheim: F (35/100)
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
Manheim water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.1995 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 22 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 14 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 8 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17545 | F | 43 | 4 | Manheim Area Water & Sewer Aut |
All ZIP Codes in Manheim
- 17545 [F] - 43 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.
Top Contaminants in Manheim Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Manheim
With 68% 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 Manheim, the median build year of 1976 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 Manheim 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 Manheim Homeowners
For most Manheim homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share - manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Manheim. The estimated $2,400–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 27% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Manheim
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 dominates the Manheim inventory at 68%, and citywide utility samples have crossed the federal action mark. Two independent indicators align here, raising lead to a household-level priority - particularly for families with kids.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Manheim
Historical NFIP data for Manheim contains 225 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $28,834. 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>$3,600</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 Manheim
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Manheim's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 68% 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 Manheim, PA