Sandy Ridge, PA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Sandy Ridge: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Public water data for Sandy Ridge, PA reveals a split picture - tap water quality varies meaningfully by service area and the city's grade reflects that variability.
How Sandy Ridge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Sandy Ridge Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 59% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
Sandy Ridge's Water Providers
Federal records track 1 water system in Sandy Ridge, PA, and a single provider handles the dominant share of residential connections while carrying primary responsibility for EPA compliance.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sandy Ridge, Pennsylvania (population ~294), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 20,865 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sandy Ridge: C (67/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Sandy Ridge water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16677 | C | Paw Philipsburg | 20,865 |
All ZIP Codes in Sandy Ridge
- 16677 [C]
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Sandy Ridge Infrastructure Age
With 59% 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
The character of Sandy Ridge's housing stock is one of deep historical layering - a median build year of 1989 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Sandy Ridge 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 Sandy Ridge
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Sandy Ridge is moderate - worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Sandy Ridge. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 46% below the Pennsylvania average.
Sandy Ridge: 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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 59% of Sandy Ridge homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Sandy Ridge
- 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 59% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sandy Ridge, PA