Media, PA: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Media, PA water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How Media Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Systems Serving Media
Structurally, Media, PA's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 2 water systems in the area, with 2 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 3 ZIP codes in Media, Pennsylvania (population ~38,206), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 963,037 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Media — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Media: 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
Media water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Media
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 3 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19063 | D | CHESTER WATER AUTHORITY | 140,437 |
| 19065 | D | CHESTER WATER AUTHORITY | 140,437 |
| 19091 | D | CHESTER WATER AUTHORITY | 140,437 |
All ZIP Codes in Media
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.
Media: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Media lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Media are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,333–$2,633 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 137% above the Pennsylvania average.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Media
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Media, that record documents 65 claims and 33% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Media has a moderate flood history with 65 FEMA claims averaging $8,715 per payout. 33% 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>$2,000</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 Media
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- 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 Media, PA