New Kensington, PA: High Radon Risk — 54/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
The latest EPA cycle for New Kensington shows a low safety grade within PA — compliance gaps have persisted over multiple reporting periods, and the city currently holds a low grade in available EPA data.
How New Kensington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Systems Serving New Kensington
Federal records list 3 water systems tied to New Kensington, PA. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in New Kensington, Pennsylvania (population ~36,068), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 218,300 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in New Kensington — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for New Kensington: D (54/100)
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 Kensington water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for New Kensington
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15068 | D | New Kensington Muni Authority | 47,800 |
| 15069 | C | New Kensington Muni Authority | 47,800 |
All ZIP Codes in New Kensington
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.
New Kensington: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity-to-remediation ratio in New Kensington is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in New Kensington. The estimated $1,200–$2,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 22% below the Pennsylvania average.
Climate-Related Water Risk for New Kensington
114 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for New Kensington, and 50% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
New Kensington has a moderate flood history with 114 FEMA claims averaging $8,131 per payout. 50% 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>$1,800</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 Kensington
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- 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 New Kensington, PA