New Columbia, PA: 1 Health Violation — 56/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in New Columbia, PA tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How New Columbia Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for New Columbia Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
New Columbia's Water Providers
Throughout New Columbia, PA, water comes from one of 2 primary utilities out of 2 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 1 ZIP code in New Columbia, Pennsylvania (population ~3,085), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 30,302 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for New Columbia: C (56/100)
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 Columbia water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for New Columbia
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 8 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 6 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2326 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17856 | C | 14 | 1 | PA AMERICAN WHITE DEER |
All ZIP Codes in New Columbia
- 17856 [C] — 14 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 New Columbia's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
New Columbia Infrastructure Age
With 60% 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 New Columbia was built in 1970 — 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 New Columbia 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 New Columbia
The equity impact of remediation in New Columbia sits at a moderate level — real enough to plan for, within reach for most.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in New Columbia. The estimated $1,750–$3,900 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 12% below the Pennsylvania average.
New Columbia: 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.
60% — that captures the slice of New Columbia housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
New Columbia: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, New Columbia shows 25 claims and 100% 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 Columbia has a moderate flood history with 25 FEMA claims averaging $4,952 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>$2,700</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 New Columbia
- 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. Filters rated for Contaminant 0700 can reduce the most common contaminant found in New Columbia's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 60% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for New Columbia, PA