Nesquehoning, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits — 43/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for Nesquehoning, PA shows a low safety grade — health-based violations appear across a meaningful share of service areas in current EPA records.
How Nesquehoning Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Nesquehoning Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.1353 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 82% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $7,620 per household.
Nesquehoning's Water Providers
Nesquehoning, PA is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 5 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania (population ~3,909), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 26,975 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Nesquehoning: D (43/100)
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
Nesquehoning water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.1353 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 | 8 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1085 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18240 | D | 16 | 2 | Nesquehoning Boro Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Nesquehoning
- 18240 [D] — 16 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.
What's in Nesquehoning's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Nesquehoning Infrastructure Age
With 82% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1942, as in Nesquehoning, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Nesquehoning 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 Nesquehoning
Given that Nesquehoning falls in the elevated cost-to-value tier, the equity impact of documented remediation is a real financial planning challenge for most homeowners.
At 5.6% of home value, remediation costs in Nesquehoning represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $5,030–$10,460. Home values here are 37% below the Pennsylvania average.
Nesquehoning: 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.
Where 82% of housing predates the federal ban on lead-bearing solder and citywide utility samples sit beyond the regulatory benchmark — as both conditions hold for Nesquehoning — the practical question for families with kids is what arrives at the specific faucet they actually use, not what the citywide average reads. An in-home kit produces that household-specific answer, with certified filter hardware via retailer networks addressing confirmed exposure where it appears.
<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.
Nesquehoning: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Nesquehoning shows a moderate flood record — 4 claims and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
Nesquehoning has a moderate flood history with 4 FEMA claims averaging $4,806 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>$7,620</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 Nesquehoning
- 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 Nesquehoning's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 82% 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 Nesquehoning, PA