Tamaqua, PA: 7 Health Violations — 47/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Tamaqua falls below the PA baseline — elevated violation rates are on record.
How Tamaqua Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Tamaqua Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 25 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 87% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Water Systems Serving Tamaqua
Throughout Tamaqua, PA, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 4 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania (population ~11,065), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 31,100 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tamaqua: D (47/100)
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
Tamaqua water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Tamaqua
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 6 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18252 | D | 25 | 7 | Tamaqua Area Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Tamaqua
- 18252 [D] — 25 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.
Key Contaminants Detected in Tamaqua
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Tamaqua's Housing Stock?
With 87% 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 median home in Tamaqua was built in 1900 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Tamaqua 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.
Tamaqua: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Tamaqua is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Tamaqua. The estimated $1,900–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 28% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Tamaqua
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 87% of Tamaqua stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Tamaqua
How does Tamaqua's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 42 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Tamaqua has a moderate flood history with 42 FEMA claims averaging $9,044 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>$3,000</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 Tamaqua
- 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 E. coli can reduce the most common contaminant found in Tamaqua's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 87% 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 Tamaqua, PA