York, PA: 9 Health Violations — 51/100 (2026)
9 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For households across York, below-average water safety data and recurring compliance violations documented by PA EPA records make it worthwhile to verify the specific system serving your address — system-level detail is the most actionable reference point available.
How York Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: York, PA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in York score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About York Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 198 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0094 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in York
Water supply in York, PA follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 9 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 9 ZIP codes in York, Pennsylvania, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 185,956 people.
9 of 9 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for York: D (51/100)
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 water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0094 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): 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 50 | 9 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 40 | 9 |
| Copper | Inorganic | 30 | 9 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 30 | 9 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 9 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17401 | C | 22 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17402 | D | 22 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17403 | D | 22 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17404 | D | 22 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17405 | D | 22 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17406 | D | 22 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17407 | C | 22 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17408 | D | 22 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17415 | D | 22 | 1 | York Water Company |
All ZIP Codes in York
- 17401 [C] — 22 violations ⚠
- 17402 [D] — 22 violations ⚠
- 17403 [D] — 22 violations ⚠
- 17404 [D] — 22 violations ⚠
- 17405 [D] — 22 violations ⚠
- 17406 [D] — 22 violations ⚠
- 17407 [C] — 22 violations ⚠
- 17408 [D] — 22 violations ⚠
- 17415 [D] — 22 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
Updated daily.
Top Contaminants in York Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in York
With 69% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1961 places York's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in York 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for York Homeowners
In York, the equity share of documented remediation is meaningful enough to move the household financial perspective from routine maintenance into deliberate budgeting territory — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and most homeowners benefit from mapping the full scope against available budgets before committing.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in York. The estimated $1,750–$3,867 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 2% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in York
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 69% of York stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in York
Taken together, York's 470 NFIP flood insurance claims and 89% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
York has a moderate flood history with 470 FEMA claims averaging $11,044 per payout. 89% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$2,700</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 York
- 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 Chlorite can reduce the most common contaminant found in York's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 69% 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, PA