Palm, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 33/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Palm: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
For households across Palm, below-average water safety data and recurring compliance violations documented by PA EPA records make it worthwhile to verify the specific system serving your address - system-level detail is the most actionable reference point available.
How Palm Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Palm Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 213 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 92% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,600 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Palm
Supply infrastructure in Palm, PA runs through a single dominant provider - the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Palm, Pennsylvania (population ~286), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 4,600 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. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Palm: F (33/100)
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
Palm water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 | 140 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2035 | Other | 12 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2037 | Other | 12 | 1 |
| Atrazine | Organic | 12 | 1 |
| Benzene | Organic | 12 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18070 | F | 213 | 0 | Upper Hanover Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Palm
- 18070 [F] - 213 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.
Top Contaminants in Palm Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Palm
With 92% 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 character of Palm's housing stock is one of deep historical layering - a median build year of 1952 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Palm 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Palm Homeowners
Property value and cost data for Palm produce a moderate remediation-share classification - a level where advance financial planning has real practical value and the commitment is realistic for most homeowners who approach it deliberately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Palm. The estimated $2,400–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 29% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Palm
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet - and where 92% of Palm homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Palm
Historical NFIP data for Palm contains 1 flood insurance claim. 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>$3,600</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 Palm
- 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 Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Palm's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 92% 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 Palm, PA