Rector, PA: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
State safety rankings put Rector, PA near the lower tier — below-average compliance on record.
How Rector Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Rector Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 94% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,700 per household.
Rector's Water Providers
2 water systems are tracked federally in Rector, PA. The top 2 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rector, Pennsylvania (population ~387), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 10,293 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Rector — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rector: D (53/100)
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
Rector water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Rector
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15677 | D | Indian Creek Valley Water Authority | 7,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Rector
- 15677 [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.
Rector Infrastructure Age
With 94% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Rector, the median build year of 1943 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Rector 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 Rector
The Rector equity share sits above the low tier but short of the range where remediation becomes a heavy financial burden — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and deliberate planning is the key practical lever for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Rector. The estimated $2,600–$5,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 5% above the Pennsylvania average.
Rector: 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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 94% of the Rector inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Rector: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood exposure in Rector is meaningful by NFIP measures — 9 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Rector has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $62,933 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>$3,700</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 Rector
- 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 94% 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 Rector, PA