South Fork, PA: 3 Health Violations - Home Safety 73/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for South Fork: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
Within South Fork, PA, the available records add up to an upper-tier grade; that grade describes records, not the water at a given faucet.
How South Fork Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for South Fork Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 28 violations since 2021.
- Homes built before 1986: 87% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
South Fork's Water Providers
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 2 shown below do not apply to the others among the 2 tied to South Fork, PA.
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South Fork, Pennsylvania (population ~2,464), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 23,606 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Fork: B (73/100)
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
South Fork water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is 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 | 6 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15956 | B | 28 | 3 | Highland S & W Authority Beaverdam |
All ZIP Codes in South Fork
- 15956 [B] - 28 violations ⚠
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.
What's in South Fork's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
South Fork Infrastructure Age
With 87% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Ask the water utility whether your address in South Fork has a lead service line; its inventory can answer what a median build year of 1947 cannot.
Over half of homes in South Fork were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. 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 South Fork
This section sets two area figures side by side for South Fork: the median home value and an estimated remediation cost. Here the estimate equals no more than 1% of that value, which places the city in the low tier; it is an area estimate, and the cost for any one property can be higher or lower.
Estimated remediation costs in South Fork can be compared with local home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 65% below the Pennsylvania average.
South Fork: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
South Fork: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for South Fork contains 5 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $805.
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 $600 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for South Fork, PA