Mount Pocono, PA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 50/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Mount Pocono: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
For households across Mount Pocono, below-average water safety data and recurring compliance violations documented by PA EPA records make it worthwhile to verify the specific system serving your address - system-level detail is the most actionable reference point available.
How Mount Pocono Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Mount Pocono Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 57% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,600 per household.
Water Systems Serving Mount Pocono
With one provider handling most of Mount Pocono's residential supply in PA, water service accountability is concentrated in a single utility among the 1 system on record.
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania (population ~3,472), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 17,860 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mount Pocono: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Mount Pocono water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18344 | D | Pawc Pocono District | 17,860 |
All ZIP Codes in Mount Pocono
- 18344 [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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
How Old Is Mount Pocono's Housing Stock?
With 57% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Mount Pocono sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1986 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing - and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Mount Pocono 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.
Mount Pocono: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Mount Pocono represent a substantial share of typical property values - the equity impact here is significant, and careful financial planning is essential rather than optional for most homeowners.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Mount Pocono represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,400–$4,800. Home values here are 20% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mount Pocono
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.
Wherever 57% of local housing was built before solder rules changed - as is the case in Mount Pocono - a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Mount Pocono
Historical NFIP data for Mount Pocono contains 4 flood insurance claims. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$3,600</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Mount Pocono
- 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 57% 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 Pocono, PA