Walnut Bottom, PA: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring data from Walnut Bottom, PA tells a below-average story — health violations are present and system-level detail is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions.
How Walnut Bottom Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Walnut Bottom Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 89% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
Water Systems Serving Walnut Bottom
Because residential water in Walnut Bottom, PA flows primarily through a single utility, infrastructure decisions, rate-setting, and EPA compliance are all managed within one organizational structure. Federal records show 1 system active in the area, but one provider dominates the service landscape for most homes and apartments.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Walnut Bottom, Pennsylvania (population ~455), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 17,800 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Walnut Bottom — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Walnut Bottom: D (53/100)
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
Walnut Bottom water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Walnut Bottom
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17266 | D | SHIPPENSBURG BORO WATER AUTH | 17,800 |
All ZIP Codes in Walnut Bottom
- 17266 [D]
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 Walnut Bottom's Housing Stock?
With 89% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Walnut Bottom's housing stock carries a median build year of 1955. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Walnut Bottom 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.
Walnut Bottom: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Walnut Bottom represent a moderate share of typical home values — worth budgeting for carefully, though within reach for most homeowners who plan ahead.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Walnut Bottom. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 8% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Walnut Bottom
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.
When older housing represents 89% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Walnut Bottom address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Walnut Bottom
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Walnut Bottom has accumulated 4 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Walnut Bottom has a moderate flood history with 4 FEMA claims averaging $5,229 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>$2,400</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 Walnut Bottom
- 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 89% 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 Walnut Bottom, PA