Williamsport, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 42/100
4 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Williamsport: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
The latest EPA cycle for Williamsport shows a low safety grade within PA - compliance gaps have persisted over multiple reporting periods, and the city currently holds a low grade in available EPA data.
How Williamsport Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Williamsport Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 261 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0025 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,550 per household.
Water Systems Serving Williamsport
Federal drinking water records identify 4 systems in Williamsport, PA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations - so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
- F
- F
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 53,675 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 4 ZIP codes.
1 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (50%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Williamsport: D (42/100)
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
Williamsport water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0025 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 94 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 10 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17702 | F | 261 | 0 | Williamsport Mun Water Authority |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17701 | D | Williamsport Mun Water Authority | 51,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Williamsport
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.
Key Contaminants Detected in Williamsport
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Williamsport: Remediation Cost in Perspective
While Williamsport 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 Williamsport. The estimated $1,700–$3,425 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 9% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Williamsport
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 Williamsport 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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Williamsport
Historical NFIP data for Williamsport contains 1,302 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $18,148. 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. The <strong>$2,550</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.
What You Can Do in Williamsport
- 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. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Williamsport's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- 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 Williamsport, PA