Washington, PA: 18 Violations - Home Safety 78/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Washington: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
Washington, PA scores in the upper band of the ZipCheckup grade.
How Washington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Washington Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 76% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
Washington's Water Providers
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 3 shown below do not apply to the others among the 4 tied to Washington, PA.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Washington, Pennsylvania (population ~50,180), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 726,931 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Washington: B (78/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Washington water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0040 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Chlorine | Disinfectant | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15301 | B | 18 | 0 | Pa Amer Water Company-pittsburgh |
All ZIP Codes in Washington
- 15301 [B] - 18 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
What's in Washington's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Washington Infrastructure Age
With 76% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Some homes in Washington predate the 1986 federal restrictions on lead in new pipe and solder, so a tap test is a reasonable step for older homes; median build year: 1964.
Over half of homes in Washington were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Washington: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Washington: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Washington contains 232 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $49,147. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Washington, PA