Ronks, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits — 41/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in PA, Ronks records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Ronks Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ronks Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.026 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 76% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $7,560 per household.
Water Systems Serving Ronks
Residential water service in Ronks, PA is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 5 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ronks, Pennsylvania (population ~3,774), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 124,970 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ronks: D (41/100)
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
Ronks water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0260 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17572 | D | 3 | 0 | CITY OF LANCASTER |
All ZIP Codes in Ronks
- 17572 [D] — 3 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.
Key Contaminants Detected in Ronks
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Ronks's Housing Stock?
With 76% 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 Ronks, 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 Ronks 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.
Ronks: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Framing remediation within the Ronks property picture, the equity share is elevated — homeowners here are navigating a financial decision that rewards structured thinking about scope and prioritization, where the cost-to-value ratio is high enough to make the difference between a planned approach and an unplanned one financially significant.
At 2.5% of home value, remediation costs in Ronks represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $5,040–$10,180. Home values here are 41% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ronks
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 action against lead-bearing solder, that material was routinely permitted in new plumbing — and 76% of Ronks housing dates from that earlier era. Citywide utility samples have also moved past the regulatory action level. Two independent indicators are aligned here: a majority of buildings carry pre-rule interior lines, while system-level concentrations sit beyond the federal benchmark. Households with kids or pregnant residents can find an in-home test and a certified lead-removal filter through certified retail channels.
<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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Ronks
Flood history in Ronks spans 7 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Ronks has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $2,700 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>$7,560</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 Ronks
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Ronks's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 76% 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 Ronks, PA