Skippack, PA: High Radon Risk — 45/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Skippack's water safety record falls below average in PA — compliance violations span multiple service areas, and several systems have recorded exceedances that trigger federal notification requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
How Skippack Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Skippack Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 27% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Water Systems Serving Skippack
Throughout Skippack, PA, water comes from one of 2 primary utilities out of 2 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Skippack, Pennsylvania (population ~286), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 180,826 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Skippack — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Skippack: D (45/100)
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
Skippack water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Skippack
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19474 | D | North Penn Water Authority | 91,941 |
All ZIP Codes in Skippack
- 19474 [D]
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.
How Old Is Skippack's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Post-1986 construction is where the lower lead-solder risk lives, because that's when the federal ban on lead solder in plumbing took effect. In Skippack, where the median build year is 1998, the housing stock falls broadly on the newer side of that threshold — a distribution that moderates aggregate plumbing-era risk compared to older housing markets.
Most homes in Skippack were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Skippack: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across Skippack, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Skippack are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 53% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Skippack
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.
Since the federal solder ban took effect, new plumbing has been built without that pathway, and Skippack's pre-rule stock at 27% reflects a contained footprint.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Skippack
14 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Skippack, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Skippack has a moderate flood history with 14 FEMA claims averaging $6,799 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>$3,000</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 Skippack
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- 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 Skippack, PA