Tyrone, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits — 34/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Tyrone falls below the PA baseline — elevated violation rates are on record.
How Tyrone Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Tyrone Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 20 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0222 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $7,560 per household.
Tyrone's Water Providers
Residential water service in Tyrone, PA is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 7 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Tyrone, Pennsylvania (population ~13,000), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 73,572 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tyrone: F (34/100)
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
Tyrone water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0222 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 | 16 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 8 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16686 | F | 20 | 1 | Tyrone Boro Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Tyrone
- 16686 [F] — 20 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.
What's in Tyrone's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Tyrone Infrastructure Age
With 81% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Tyrone sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1953 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Tyrone 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Tyrone
Within the Tyrone market, documented remediation claims a significant slice of typical equity — the financial weight here is material.
At 4.5% of home value, remediation costs in Tyrone represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,990–$10,380. Home values here are 22% below the Pennsylvania average.
Tyrone: 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.
Even with utility-tier oversight in place, the structural drivers in Tyrone — a 81% share of older housing alongside citywide readings beyond the federal benchmark — keep tap-water samples and a certified filter at a tap-level concern.
<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.
Tyrone: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Tyrone's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 144 NFIP claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
Tyrone has a moderate flood history with 144 FEMA claims averaging $8,408 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>$7,560</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 Tyrone
- 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 Tyrone's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 81% 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 Tyrone, PA