Shamokin Dam, PA: 6 Violations — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Shamokin Dam has lagged behind PA benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Shamokin Dam Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Shamokin Dam Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 76% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Shamokin Dam
Structurally, Shamokin Dam, PA's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 2 water systems in the area, with 2 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania (population ~1,840), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,100 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 Shamokin Dam: 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
Shamokin Dam water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Shamokin Dam
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17876 | D | 6 | 0 | Shamokin Dam Borough |
All ZIP Codes in Shamokin Dam
- 17876 [D] — 6 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.
Top Contaminants in Shamokin Dam Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Shamokin Dam
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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Shamokin Dam's median build year of 1961 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Shamokin Dam 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Shamokin Dam Homeowners
Within the Shamokin Dam property market, documented remediation claims a moderate slice of typical equity — real but budgetable.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Shamokin Dam. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 7% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Shamokin Dam
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.
When older housing represents 76% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Shamokin Dam address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Shamokin Dam
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Shamokin Dam shows a moderate flood record — 43 claims and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
Shamokin Dam has a moderate flood history with 43 FEMA claims averaging $13,231 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 Shamokin Dam
- 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 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Shamokin Dam'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 Shamokin Dam, PA