Mercer, PA: 2 Health Violations — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Mercer records above-average water quality outcomes for PA; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Mercer Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Mercer Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 27 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 68% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Water Systems Serving Mercer
Federal records list 5 water systems tied to Mercer, PA. Of those, 3 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 Mercer, Pennsylvania (population ~12,327), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 52,221 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mercer: B (70/100)
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
Mercer water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mercer
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 22 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16137 | B | 27 | 2 | AQUA PA SHENANGO VALLEY WTP |
All ZIP Codes in Mercer
- 16137 [B] — 27 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.
Key Contaminants Detected in Mercer
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Mercer's Housing Stock?
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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Mercer's median build year of 1974 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Mercer 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.
Mercer: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The cost-to-value ratio in Mercer is in the moderate range — neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Mercer. The estimated $1,250–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 17% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mercer
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 Mercer have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 68% 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Mercer
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Mercer shows 7 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Mercer has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $8,285 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mercer, PA