Wilkes Barre, PA: High Radon Risk — 65/100 (2026)
14 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
If you're checking Wilkes Barre, PA tap water safety, the short answer is: average — violations are present in parts of the city and specifics depend on which water system serves your address.
How Wilkes Barre Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Quality Map: Wilkes Barre, PA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Wilkes Barre score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Wilkes Barre Water
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Wilkes Barre
Residential addresses in Wilkes Barre, PA are served by 3 primary water providers out of 7 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 14 ZIP codes in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania (population ~77,959), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 267,868 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Wilkes Barre — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Wilkes Barre: C (65/100)
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
Wilkes Barre water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 14 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18701 | C | Paw Ceasetown | 58,467 |
| 18702 | C | Paw Ceasetown | 58,467 |
| 18703 | C | Pa Amer Water Company Lake Scranton | 134,570 |
| 18705 | C | Paw Watres | 52,002 |
| 18706 | C | Paw Ceasetown | 58,467 |
| 18710 | B | Pa Amer Water Company Lake Scranton | 134,570 |
| 18711 | B | Pa Amer Water Company Lake Scranton | 134,570 |
| 18762 | C | Pa Amer Water Company Lake Scranton | 134,570 |
| 18764 | B | Pa Amer Water Company Lake Scranton | 134,570 |
| 18765 | C | Pa Amer Water Company Lake Scranton | 134,570 |
All ZIP Codes in Wilkes Barre
- 18701 [C]
- 18702 [C]
- 18703 [C]
- 18705 [C]
- 18706 [C]
- 18710 [B]
- 18711 [B]
- 18762 [C]
- 18764 [B]
- 18765 [C]
- 18766 [C]
- 18767 [C]
- 18769 [C]
- 18773 [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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Wilkes Barre Homeowners
While Wilkes Barre homeowners face a manageable path to remediation, the equity share sits in the moderate tier — a signal that proactive budgeting matters more here than in lower-ratio markets.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Wilkes Barre. The estimated $1,400–$2,786 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 42% below the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Wilkes Barre
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.
Lead risk in Wilkes Barre appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Wilkes Barre
Decades of documented flood activity appear in Wilkes Barre's NFIP record — 1061 insurance claims filed and 57% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood designations. The scale of that record puts water infrastructure vulnerability from flooding into the concrete-risk category.
Wilkes Barre has a significant flood history with 1,061 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $22,325 per claim. With 57% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,100</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 Wilkes Barre
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Wilkes Barre, PA