Upper Darby, PA Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Safe water is the norm across most of Upper Darby, PA — but documented violations push the city to the middle safety tier.
How Upper Darby Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Upper Darby Water
- Homes built before 1986: 94% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Upper Darby
Throughout Upper Darby, PA, water comes from one of 2 primary utilities out of 2 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 Upper Darby, Pennsylvania (population ~41,875), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,422,600 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Upper Darby — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Upper Darby: C (55/100)
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 Darby water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Upper Darby
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19082 | C | Aqua Pa Main System | 822,600 |
All ZIP Codes in Upper Darby
- 19082 [C]
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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Upper Darby
With 94% 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 Upper Darby — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1944 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Upper Darby 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 Upper Darby Homeowners
Property value and cost data for Upper Darby produce a moderate remediation-share classification — a level where advance financial planning has real practical value and the commitment is realistic for most homeowners who approach it deliberately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Upper Darby. The estimated $1,200–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 27% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Upper Darby
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 94% of Upper Darby 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Upper Darby
How does Upper Darby's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 361 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.
Upper Darby has a moderate flood history with 361 FEMA claims averaging $13,978 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>$1,800</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 Darby
- 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 94% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Upper Darby, PA