Nicktown, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits - Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Nicktown: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Nicktown water quality is uneven - some service areas show clean compliance; others carry documented violations in PA EPA records.
How Nicktown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Nicktown Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 99 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.017 mg/L - exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 80% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $6,400 per household.
Nicktown's Water Providers
Residential water service in Nicktown, PA is divided among 2 separate utilities, drawn from 2 systems on file with federal regulators.
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Nicktown, Pennsylvania (population ~866), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 6,150 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Nicktown: C (67/100)
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
Nicktown water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0170 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 10 | 1 |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 10 | 1 |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 10 | 1 |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 10 | 1 |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 10 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15762 | C | 99 | 1 | Blacklick Valley Muni Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Nicktown
- 15762 [C] - 99 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
What's in Nicktown's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Nicktown Infrastructure Age
With 80% 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, Nicktown sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1966 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 Nicktown 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 Nicktown
Within the Nicktown market, documented remediation claims a significant slice of typical equity - the financial weight here is material.
At 3.1% of home value, remediation costs in Nicktown represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,000–$9,000. Home values here are 2% below the Pennsylvania average.
Nicktown: 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.
Before the federal action against lead-bearing solder, that material was routinely permitted in new plumbing - and 80% of Nicktown housing dates from that earlier era. Citywide utility samples have also moved past the regulatory action level. Two independent indicators are aligned here: a majority of buildings carry pre-rule interior lines, while system-level concentrations sit beyond the federal benchmark. Households with kids or pregnant residents can find an in-home test and a certified lead-removal filter through certified retail channels.
<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.
Nicktown: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Nicktown contains 4 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $1,883. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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>$6,400</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 Nicktown
- 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 Barium can reduce the most common contaminant found in Nicktown's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 80% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Nicktown, PA