Stewartstown, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 34/100
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Stewartstown: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
Water monitoring data from Stewartstown, PA tells a below-average story - health violations are present and system-level detail is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions.
How Stewartstown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Stewartstown Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 46 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 42% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Water Systems Serving Stewartstown
Water service in Stewartstown, PA is split across 3 utilities out of 3 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
- F
- F
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania (population ~8,460), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 216,695 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. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Stewartstown: F (34/100)
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
Stewartstown water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Inorganic | 16 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 12 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17363 | F | 46 | 1 | Stewartstown Boro Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Stewartstown
- 17363 [F] - 46 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.
Key Contaminants Detected in Stewartstown
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Stewartstown's Housing Stock?
With 42% 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
Development in Stewartstown unfolded across multiple decades, and the median build year of 1998 reflects a housing inventory where eras of construction are genuinely mixed - including portions that predate the federal prohibition on lead solder in plumbing.
Most homes in Stewartstown were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Stewartstown: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Stewartstown market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity - the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Stewartstown are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 44% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Stewartstown
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 42% of Stewartstown stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Stewartstown
Historical NFIP data for Stewartstown contains 5 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $9,013. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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>$3,000</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 Stewartstown
- 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 Copper can reduce the most common contaminant found in Stewartstown's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- 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 Stewartstown, PA