Shickshinny, PA: High Radon Risk — 35/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to PA averages, Shickshinny scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm and the city's grade reflects that ongoing shortfall.
How Shickshinny Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Shickshinny Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 76% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Shickshinny's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Shickshinny, PA are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania (population ~5,789), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 74,133 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Shickshinny — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Shickshinny: F (35/100)
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
Shickshinny water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Shickshinny
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18655 | F | Paw Ceasetown | 58,467 |
All ZIP Codes in Shickshinny
- 18655 [F]
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.
Shickshinny Infrastructure Age
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
What does a median build year of 1978 mean for water safety in Shickshinny? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Shickshinny 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 Shickshinny
Homeowners in Shickshinny are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Shickshinny. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 22% below the Pennsylvania average.
Shickshinny: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 76% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Shickshinny.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Shickshinny: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Because Shickshinny's NFIP claim count reaches 568 and 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA-designated flood zones, flood exposure here operates differently than it does in lower-claim communities. In areas with isolated flood events, water-quality infrastructure can typically absorb the stress and recover between events. In communities with repeated high-volume flooding, treatment plants face recurring overload conditions, private wells in FEMA-designated zones accumulate repeated infiltration episodes, and distribution systems experience repeated pressure events that can drive backflow. The claim record for this area points to that second category: a flood environment where water infrastructure stress is periodic and documented, not theoretical.
Shickshinny has a significant flood history with 568 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $19,521 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>$2,400</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 Shickshinny
- 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 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 Shickshinny, PA