Southampton, PA: 1 Health Violation — 59/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Southampton, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for PA.
How Southampton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Southampton Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 78% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,300 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Southampton
Multiple utilities divide Southampton, PA's water service — 3 leading providers among 3 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Southampton, Pennsylvania (population ~35,994), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 875,350 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Southampton: C (59/100)
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
Southampton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 20 | 1 |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18966 | C | 14 | 1 | Upper Southampton Mun Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Southampton
- 18966 [C] — 14 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
Updated daily.
Top Contaminants in Southampton Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Southampton
With 78% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The character of Southampton's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1976 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Southampton were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Southampton Homeowners
At current valuations, Southampton sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Southampton are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,150–$4,700 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 119% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Southampton
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 78% of Southampton homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Southampton
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Southampton shows 144 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Southampton has a moderate flood history with 144 FEMA claims averaging $19,006 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>$3,300</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 Southampton
- 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. Filters rated for Contaminant 0700 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Southampton's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 78% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Southampton, PA