Somerset, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits - 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.
In recent monitoring cycles, Somerset tap water shows a mixed record for PA - several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
How Somerset Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Somerset Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 63 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0335 mg/L - exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 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 5 total systems - independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
- 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 lead level (90th percentile): 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
| Cadmium | 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
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.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (50% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead 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 <strong>$1,000</strong> 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. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Chlorite can reduce the most common contaminant found in Somerset's water.
- 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