State College, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 50/100
4 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for State College: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
State safety rankings put State College, PA near the lower tier - below-average compliance on record.
How State College Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for State College Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 210 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0108 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,225 per household.
State College's Water Providers
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of State College, PA's residential water connections out of 5 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
- 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 lead level (90th percentile): 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
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 180 | 2 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 43 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 18 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 2 |
| PFOA | PFAS | 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
The household financial picture for State College homeowners is proportionally favorable - addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in State College are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,475–$3,050 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 88% above the Pennsylvania average.
State College: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Lead risk in State College appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
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 <strong>$2,225</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 State College
- 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 Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in State College's water.
- 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. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for State College, PA