Rock Glen, PA: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Rock Glen, water quality data indicates below-average safety by PA standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.
How Rock Glen Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Rock Glen Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 91% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Rock Glen's Water Providers
Rock Glen, PA runs on one primary water provider among the 1 federally tracked system. A single utility is responsible for the overwhelming share of residential supply — including the infrastructure, compliance filings, and rate schedules that govern service for most households.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rock Glen, Pennsylvania (population ~152), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,230 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Rock Glen — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rock Glen: 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
Rock Glen water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Rock Glen
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18246 | D | CONYNGHAM SUGARLOAF JOINT MA | 3,230 |
All ZIP Codes in Rock Glen
- 18246 [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.
Rock Glen Infrastructure Age
With 91% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Rock Glen, where the median build year is 1963, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Rock Glen 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 Rock Glen
The Rock Glen 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 Rock Glen. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 43% below the Pennsylvania average.
Rock Glen: 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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 91% of Rock Glen stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Rock Glen: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Although Rock Glen's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 2 claims and FEMA maps place 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Rock Glen has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $1,714 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>$2,400</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 Rock Glen
- 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 91% 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 Rock Glen, PA