Merrittstown, PA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Merrittstown, PA water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How Merrittstown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Merrittstown Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 87% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
Water Systems Serving Merrittstown
Federal records track 1 water system in Merrittstown, PA, and a single provider handles the dominant share of residential connections while carrying primary responsibility for EPA compliance.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Merrittstown, Pennsylvania (population ~201), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,841 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Merrittstown — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Merrittstown: 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
Merrittstown water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Merrittstown
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15463 | D | MASONTOWN MUNI WATER WORKS | 3,841 |
All ZIP Codes in Merrittstown
- 15463 [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.
How Old Is Merrittstown's Housing Stock?
With 87% 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
The median home in Merrittstown was built in 1903 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Merrittstown 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.
Merrittstown: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across Merrittstown, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Merrittstown are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 80% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Merrittstown
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.
87% — that captures the slice of Merrittstown housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Merrittstown
- 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 87% 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 Merrittstown, PA