Picture Rocks, PA - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Picture Rocks Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 102 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0296 mg/L - exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 90% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Water Systems Serving Picture Rocks
Federal records track 1 water system in Picture Rocks, PA, and a single provider handles the dominant share of residential connections while carrying primary responsibility for EPA compliance.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Picture Rocks, Pennsylvania (population ~560), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,800 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.
Water Sources
Picture Rocks water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0296 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 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 | 24 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 18 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2005 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2010 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2020 | Other | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17762 | — | 102 | 0 | Hughesville Borough Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Picture Rocks
- 17762 - 102 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.
Key Contaminants Detected in Picture Rocks
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Picture Rocks's Housing Stock?
With 90% 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 Picture Rocks's housing stock is one of deep historical layering - a median build year of 1900 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 Picture Rocks 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.
Picture Rocks: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The cost-to-value ratio in Picture Rocks is in the moderate range - neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Picture Rocks. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 16% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Picture Rocks
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.
Although federal monitoring continues at the utility tier, Picture Rocks's 90% share of older housing alongside aggregate readings beyond the action mark raises lead to a near-term household step.
<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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Picture Rocks
Historical NFIP data for Picture Rocks contains 5 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $16,509. 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>$2,400</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Picture Rocks, PA