Mount Bethel, PA: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Monitoring data across Mount Bethel reveals a persistent pattern of below-average compliance in PA — multiple service areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little overall improvement over recent EPA reporting cycles.
How Mount Bethel Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Mount Bethel Water
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Mount Bethel
Mount Bethel, PA draws its residential water from 2 separate providers among the 2 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania (population ~3,877), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 10,108 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Mount Bethel — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mount Bethel: 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
Mount Bethel water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mount Bethel
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18343 | D | PORTLAND BORO AUTHORITY | 1,100 |
All ZIP Codes in Mount Bethel
- 18343 [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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Mount Bethel
With 65% 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
What does a median build year of 1972 mean for water safety in Mount Bethel? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Mount Bethel 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 Mount Bethel Homeowners
Given current Mount Bethel property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier — an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Mount Bethel. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 29% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Mount Bethel
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 65% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Mount Bethel.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Mount Bethel
Flood exposure in Mount Bethel is meaningful by NFIP measures — 134 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Mount Bethel has a moderate flood history with 134 FEMA claims averaging $29,025 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>$3,000</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 Mount Bethel
- 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 65% 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 Mount Bethel, PA