Reading, PA: 12 Health Violations — 64/100 (2026)
12 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across Reading produce average compliance results for PA overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How Reading Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Reading, PA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Reading's 12 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Reading Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 96 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 79% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,458 per household.
Reading's Water Providers
With 3 utilities splitting service in Reading, PA, water accountability is distributed across 9 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 12 ZIP codes in Reading, Pennsylvania, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 226,637 people.
12 of 12 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 12 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Reading: C (64/100)
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
Reading water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 12 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 52 | 12 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 13 | 12 |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 13 | 12 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 13 | 12 |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other | 13 | 12 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19601 | C | 8 | 1 | Reading Area Water Authority |
| 19602 | C | 8 | 1 | Reading Area Water Authority |
| 19603 | C | 8 | 1 | Reading Area Water Authority |
| 19604 | C | 8 | 1 | Reading Area Water Authority |
| 19605 | C | 8 | 1 | Reading Area Water Authority |
| 19606 | C | 8 | 1 | Reading Area Water Authority |
| 19607 | C | 8 | 1 | Reading Area Water Authority |
| 19608 | C | 8 | 1 | Paw Penn District |
| 19609 | C | 8 | 1 | Paw Penn District |
| 19610 | C | 8 | 1 | Reading Area Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Reading
- 19601 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19602 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19603 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19604 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19605 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19606 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19607 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19608 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19609 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19610 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19611 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 19612 [C] — 8 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
Updated daily.
What's in Reading's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Reading Infrastructure Age
With 79% 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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Reading's median build year of 1947 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Reading 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 Reading
How does remediation fit within the broader financial picture for Reading homeowners? The equity share is moderate — large enough that treating it as a real planning consideration makes sense, and manageable enough that most homeowners have a clear path to addressing documented water and safety issues when they approach the commitment with deliberate advance budgeting rather than as an unplanned expense.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Reading. The estimated $2,275–$4,967 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 2% above the Pennsylvania average.
Reading: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Reading have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 79% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Reading: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
466 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Reading, and 92% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Reading has a moderate flood history with 466 FEMA claims averaging $24,441 per payout. 92% 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>$3,458</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 Reading
- 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 Contaminant 0700 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Reading's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 79% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Reading, PA