Troy, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits — 26/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Troy, EPA compliance records fall well below PA averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Troy Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Troy Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 31 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0158 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $6,720 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Troy
With 3 utilities splitting service in Troy, PA, water accountability is distributed across 3 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Troy, Pennsylvania, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 4,653 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Troy: F (26/100)
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
Troy water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0158 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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 | 30 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16947 | F | 31 | 0 | Troy Water Deptartment |
All ZIP Codes in Troy
- 16947 [F] — 31 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 Troy Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Troy
With 72% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Troy — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1962 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Troy 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 Troy Homeowners
Throughout Troy, fixing documented water and safety issues carries an equity weight that moves remediation out of routine planning territory and into structured financial decision-making.
At 4.0% of home value, remediation costs in Troy represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,480–$9,060. Home values here are 22% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Troy
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.
Wherever 72% of housing comes from before the federal solder ban and citywide samples cross the regulatory action mark — as in Troy — household kits and a certified filter via retailer networks are the household-level tools.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Troy
The NFIP claim record for Troy — 20 filed incidents — reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways — runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow — all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.
Troy has a moderate flood history with 20 FEMA claims averaging $11,494 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>$6,720</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 Troy
- 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 Contaminant 0700 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Troy's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 72% 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 Troy, PA