State College, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 50/100
4 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for State College: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
Low marks: State College, PA sits below the midpoint of the ZipCheckup grade scale.
How State College Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for State College Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 210 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0108 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $850 per household.
State College's Water Providers
Counting every public water system linked to State College, PA in federal data gives 5. The list below keeps the 3 largest by reported population served, a figure that covers each system's whole service area rather than the city alone. A household's own supplier is named on its water bill.
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in State College, Pennsylvania (population ~65,813), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 125,712 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 4 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for State College: D (50/100)
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
State College water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0108 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
4 of 4 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 180 | 2 |
| Groundwater Rule | Treatment Technique | 43 | 2 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 18 | 2 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 2 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | Organic | 10 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16803 | — | 210 | 4 | State College Boro Water Authority |
| 16801 | D | 153 | 3 | State College Boro Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in State College
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 State College's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in State College
Because the median home value in State College is large relative to the estimated cost of remediation, the ratio between them stays at or below 1%; that is a statement about two area-level numbers, not a quote for a particular house or a judgment about what an owner can pay.
Estimated remediation costs in State College can be compared with local home values. The $450–$1,900 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 88% above the Pennsylvania average.
State College: 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.
State College: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for State College contains 48 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $12,342. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 67% 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 $850 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 State College
- 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 Public Notice Rule, listed in the water-quality records for State College: 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.
- Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for State College, PA