New Castle, PA: 6 Violations — 81/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike many cities its size in PA, New Castle keeps health-based violation rates low — systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How New Castle Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: New Castle, PA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in New Castle score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About New Castle Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,417 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in New Castle
Throughout New Castle, PA, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 6 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in New Castle, Pennsylvania (population ~51,088), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 143,825 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for New Castle: B (81/100)
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
New Castle water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 6 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16101 | B | 1 | 0 | Pa Amer Water Company New Castle |
| 16102 | B | 1 | 0 | Pa Amer Water Company New Castle |
| 16103 | B | 1 | 0 | Pa American Water Company Butler |
| 16105 | B | 1 | 0 | Pa Amer Water Company New Castle |
| 16107 | B | 1 | 0 | Pa American Water Company Butler |
| 16108 | B | 1 | 0 | Pa American Water Company Butler |
All ZIP Codes in New Castle
- 16101 [B] — 1 violation
- 16102 [B] — 1 violation
- 16103 [B] — 1 violation
- 16105 [B] — 1 violation
- 16107 [B] — 1 violation
- 16108 [B] — 1 violation
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 New Castle Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for New Castle Homeowners
In New Castle, the equity impact of remediation sits at the elevated end of the scale — the cost-to-value ratio is high enough that most homeowners are weighing a genuine financial decision, one where planning and scope prioritization are practical tools rather than optional considerations, and early documentation of what needs addressing determines the shape of the commitment.
At 2.2% of home value, remediation costs in New Castle represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,583–$3,367. Home values here are 49% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in New Castle
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.
Lead risk in New Castle appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in New Castle
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, New Castle shows 99 claims and 67% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
New Castle has a moderate flood history with 99 FEMA claims averaging $6,213 per payout. 67% 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>$2,417</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for New Castle, PA