Meshoppen, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits — 26/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Meshoppen falls below the PA baseline — elevated violation rates are on record.
How Meshoppen Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Meshoppen Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0323 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 62% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Meshoppen
In Meshoppen, PA, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility — a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,027 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Meshoppen: F (26/100)
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
Meshoppen water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0323 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Copper | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18630 | F | 7 | 1 | Meshoppen Borough Water Company |
All ZIP Codes in Meshoppen
- 18630 [F] — 7 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.
Top Contaminants in Meshoppen Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Meshoppen
With 62% 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
Meshoppen's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1989 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Meshoppen 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 Meshoppen Homeowners
For most Meshoppen homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Meshoppen. The estimated $1,750–$3,900 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 2% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Meshoppen
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.
Despite Lead and Copper Rule oversight at the utility tier, citywide samples in Meshoppen have moved beyond 0.015 mg/L — and 62% of local stock predates the ban on solder containing lead. The high-pre-1986 share combined with above-action samples leaves an in-home test and certified filtration via retailer networks as the household-tier tools, available for families with kids or pregnant residents. Periodic retesting after plumbing work or extended stagnation captures changes the initial draw cannot.
<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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Meshoppen
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Meshoppen accumulating 256 claims and carrying 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Meshoppen has a moderate flood history with 256 FEMA claims averaging $19,560 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>$2,700</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 Meshoppen
- 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 Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Meshoppen's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 62% 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 Meshoppen, PA