York New Salem, PA: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
In recent EPA cycles, York New Salem shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within PA — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How York New Salem Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
York New Salem Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 98% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
Water Systems Serving York New Salem
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in York New Salem, PA — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in York New Salem, Pennsylvania (population ~319), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 206,762 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in York New Salem — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for York New Salem: D (40/100)
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
York New Salem water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for York New Salem
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17371 | D | YORK WATER CO | 206,762 |
All ZIP Codes in York New Salem
- 17371 [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 York New Salem's Housing Stock?
With 98% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, York New Salem sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1901 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in York New Salem 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.
York New Salem: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in York New Salem, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in York New Salem are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 8% below the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in York New Salem
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 98% of York New Salem stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in York New Salem
- 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 98% 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 York New Salem, PA