Palmyra, PA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 50/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Palmyra: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
The grade shown for Palmyra, PA falls at D or F, taken from the average of the composite Home Safety Scores of the city's scored ZIP codes. That composite can draw on several kinds of data, such as drinking water records, radon zone designations, PFAS monitoring and air quality, so a low grade does not by itself show which factor weighed most or what any single tap delivers. The report for your own ZIP code is the place to look at the pieces behind the number where you live.
How Palmyra Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Palmyra Water: The Quick Version
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
Water Systems Serving Palmyra
Listed supplier for Palmyra, PA: one system, of 1 on federal record.
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Palmyra, Pennsylvania (population ~23,798), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 50,200 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Palmyra: D (50/100)
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
Palmyra water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0030 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
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17078 | D | Pa Amer Water Company | 50,200 |
All ZIP Codes in Palmyra
- 17078 [D]
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.
How Old Is Palmyra's Housing Stock?
With 60% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Plumbing risk in older housing is tied to the period before 1986, when lead pipes and lead solder were still permitted in new plumbing. Palmyra's median build year is 1971, and properties from before that year might still contain lead-bearing joints or pipes. Much of that risk sits inside individual properties, which city-level water quality averages don't capture.
Over half of homes in Palmyra were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Palmyra: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low tier for Palmyra: remediation estimated at up to 1% of what homes are worth.
Estimated remediation costs in Palmyra can be compared with local home values. The $400–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 30% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Palmyra
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Palmyra
Historical NFIP data for Palmyra contains 53 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $20,898. 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 $600 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 Palmyra
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 60% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Palmyra, PA