Selinsgrove, PA: 1 Health Violation — 54/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Federal monitoring data for Selinsgrove puts the city in PA's lower safety tier — exceedances show up in multiple utility districts, several systems have met thresholds requiring public notification under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the compliance deficit has persisted across more than one consecutive reporting cycle, with no clear reversal visible in the most recent data available.
How Selinsgrove Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Selinsgrove Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 66 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
Selinsgrove's Water Providers
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Selinsgrove, PA — out of 7 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 14,538 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Selinsgrove: D (54/100)
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
Selinsgrove water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 26 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 24 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 22 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 10 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17870 | D | 66 | 1 | Selinsgrove Muni Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Selinsgrove
- 17870 [D] — 66 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 Selinsgrove's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Selinsgrove Infrastructure Age
With 67% 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
Decades of residential development in Selinsgrove took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1977, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city — a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.
Over half of homes in Selinsgrove 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 Selinsgrove
Although the Selinsgrove remediation share is moderate, it remains reachable for most homeowners who plan for the expense in advance.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Selinsgrove. The estimated $1,750–$3,900 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 8% above the Pennsylvania average.
Selinsgrove: 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.
Wherever 67% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Selinsgrove — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Selinsgrove: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Selinsgrove's NFIP record reflects high flood exposure — 627 claims spanning a long history of significant events, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones. High flood frequency increases the probability of water quality disruptions at each point in the supply chain: treatment facilities, transmission infrastructure, and private wells all face elevated stress risk when flooding is a recurring feature rather than a rare exception.
Selinsgrove has a significant flood history with 627 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $14,324 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,700</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 Selinsgrove
- 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 E. coli can reduce the most common contaminant found in Selinsgrove's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 67% 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 Selinsgrove, PA