West Alexander, PA Home Safety: Home Safety 83/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for West Alexander: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Compared to statewide averages in PA, West Alexander scores well - health violations are below the norm and systems generally operate within federal standards.
How West Alexander Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for West Alexander Residents
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 65% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
West Alexander's Water Providers
In West Alexander, PA, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility - a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in West Alexander, Pennsylvania (population ~1,508), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 686,000 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for West Alexander: B (83/100)
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
West Alexander water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 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
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15376 | B | Pa Amer Water Company-pittsburgh | 686,000 |
All ZIP Codes in West Alexander
- 15376 [B]
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.
West Alexander Infrastructure Age
With 65% 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
What does a median build year of 1966 mean for water safety in West Alexander? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used - making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in West Alexander 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 West Alexander
For most West Alexander homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share - manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in West Alexander. The estimated $1,400–$4,900 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 5% below the Pennsylvania average.
West Alexander: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 65% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in West Alexander.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
West Alexander: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for West Alexander contains 2 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $141.
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. The <strong>$2,700</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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 West Alexander, PA