Upper Black Eddy, PA: High Radon Risk — 35/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
The latest EPA cycle for Upper Black Eddy shows a low safety grade within PA — compliance gaps have persisted over multiple reporting periods, and the city currently holds a low grade in available EPA data.
How Upper Black Eddy Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Upper Black Eddy Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Water Systems Serving Upper Black Eddy
For most households in Upper Black Eddy, PA, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,944 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Upper Black Eddy — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Upper Black Eddy: F (35/100)
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
Upper Black Eddy water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Upper Black Eddy
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18972 | F | RED CLIFF MHP | 30 |
All ZIP Codes in Upper Black Eddy
- 18972 [F]
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.
How Old Is Upper Black Eddy's Housing Stock?
With 75% 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
Reading the housing age data for Upper Black Eddy — median build year 1968 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Upper Black Eddy 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.
Upper Black Eddy: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Upper Black Eddy picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Upper Black Eddy are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 113% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Upper Black Eddy
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Upper Black Eddy — 75% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Upper Black Eddy
Flood exposure in Upper Black Eddy is meaningful by NFIP measures — 252 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Upper Black Eddy has a moderate flood history with 252 FEMA claims averaging $30,088 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 Upper Black Eddy
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 75% 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 Upper Black Eddy, PA