Somerset, PA: 18 Violations — 77/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Looking at federal monitoring data for Somerset, PA: the city clears benchmarks set under the Safe Drinking Water Act with room to spare — recorded exceedances are rare, and the systems serving local households have not triggered any pattern of repeat deficiencies in recent cycles.
How Somerset Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Somerset Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Somerset
Throughout Somerset, PA, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 8 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 2 ZIP codes in Somerset, Pennsylvania, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 18,575 people.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Somerset: B (77/100)
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
Somerset water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 2 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 6 | 2 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 6 | 2 |
| Copper | Inorganic | 3 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15501 | B | 9 | 0 | Somerset Boro Muni Water Authority |
| 15510 | B | 9 | 0 | Somerset Twp Muni Authority Oakridg |
All ZIP Codes in Somerset
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 Somerset Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Somerset Homeowners
For most homeowners in Somerset, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Somerset are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$1,700 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 24% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Somerset
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.
Lead risk in Somerset appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Somerset
30 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Somerset, and 50% 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.
Somerset has a moderate flood history with 30 FEMA claims averaging $5,694 per payout. 50% 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>$1,000</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Somerset, PA