Punxsutawney, PA Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
Unlike better-scoring cities in PA, Punxsutawney records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Punxsutawney Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Punxsutawney Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 78% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
Water Systems Serving Punxsutawney
Punxsutawney, PA draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 14,136 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Punxsutawney — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Punxsutawney: D (50/100)
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
Punxsutawney water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Punxsutawney
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15767 | D | HENDERSON TOWNSHIP MUN AUTH | 354 |
All ZIP Codes in Punxsutawney
- 15767 [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
Updated daily.
How Old Is Punxsutawney's Housing Stock?
With 78% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Punxsutawney is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1967 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Punxsutawney 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.
Punxsutawney: Remediation Cost in Perspective
For most Punxsutawney homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Punxsutawney. The estimated $1,200–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 41% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Punxsutawney
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.
78% of Punxsutawney housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Punxsutawney
FEMA data shows 100% of Punxsutawney's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 145 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Punxsutawney has a moderate flood history with 145 FEMA claims averaging $24,681 per payout. 100% 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>$2,200</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 Punxsutawney
- 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. With 78% 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 Punxsutawney, PA