Somerset, PA: Lead Above EPA Action Level - Home Safety 67/100
2 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Somerset: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Somerset, PA holds a middle-tier grade; review the underlying water system records for the reasons behind it.
How Somerset Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Somerset Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 63 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0335 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average.
- Estimated remediation: $4,560 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Somerset
3 systems shown for Somerset, PA, from 5 on the federal list.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Somerset, Pennsylvania, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 18,575 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 2 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Somerset: C (67/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Somerset water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0335 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
2 of 2 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total organic carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 10 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15501 | C | 63 | 0 | Somerset Boro Muni Water Authority |
| 15510 | — | 2 | 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
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
Property values and remediation costs in Somerset combine to produce a high equity share - the financial burden here is significant.
Estimated remediation costs in Somerset equal about 2.8% of the median home value; how much that burdens a household depends on its finances. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $3,040–$6,080. Home values here are 24% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Somerset
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
1 ZIP code (50% of the city's ZIP records) is served by a water system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Somerset
Historical NFIP data for Somerset contains 32 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $7,855. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $4,560 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Somerset
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Consider testing your home's tap water for lead, since household plumbing can affect its level.
- Install a certified water filter. For Total organic carbon, listed in the water-quality records for Somerset: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Somerset, PA