Middlebury Center, PA: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
Unlike better-scoring cities in PA, Middlebury Center records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Middlebury Center Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Facts for Middlebury Center Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Middlebury Center's Water Providers
Supply infrastructure in Middlebury Center, PA runs through a single dominant provider — the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania (population ~1,175), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,660 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Middlebury Center — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Middlebury Center: 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
Middlebury Center water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Middlebury Center
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16935 | D | ELKLAND BORO WATER AUTHORITY | 2,660 |
All ZIP Codes in Middlebury Center
- 16935 [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.
Middlebury Center Infrastructure Age
With 63% 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 Middlebury Center was built in 1972 — 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 Middlebury Center 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Middlebury Center
Property equity in Middlebury Center sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Middlebury Center. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 9% below the Pennsylvania average.
Middlebury Center: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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 citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 63% of Middlebury Center homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Middlebury Center: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
How does Middlebury Center's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 9 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Middlebury Center has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $12,105 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.
What You Can Do in Middlebury Center
- 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 63% 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 Middlebury Center, PA