York, PA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 52/100
9 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for York: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
On the A-F scale ZipCheckup uses, York, PA rates a D or an F.
How York Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About York Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 117 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0034 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 69% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $371 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in York
Service in York, PA can differ by address: 6 water systems are tied to the area in federal records, and the 3 largest are listed with their violation records.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 9 ZIP codes in York, Pennsylvania, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 185,956 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 7 of 9 ZIP codes.
7 of 7 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for York: D (52/100)
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
York water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0034 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 7 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
9 of 9 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | Inorganic | 27 | 2 |
| Nitrite | Inorganic | 27 | 2 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 24 | 7 |
| Total organic carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 23 | 7 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 21 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17402 | — | 66 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17406 | D | 58 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17408 | D | 50 | 1 | West Manchester Twp Authority |
| 17404 | — | 49 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17403 | — | 19 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17401 | C | 5 | 1 | York Water Company |
| 17407 | — | 5 | 1 | York Water Company |
All ZIP Codes in York
- 17401 [C] - 5 violations ⚠
- 17402 - 66 violations ⚠
- 17403 - 19 violations ⚠
- 17404 - 49 violations ⚠
- 17405
- 17406 [D] - 58 violations ⚠
- 17407 - 5 violations ⚠
- 17408 [D] - 50 violations ⚠
- 17415
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.
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. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
If you live in one of the pre-1986 homes in York, a certified lab test for lead is the direct way to learn what your tap delivers; the median build year of 1961 is only context.
Over half of homes in York were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. 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
This section sets two area figures side by side for York: the median home value and an estimated remediation cost. Here the estimate equals no more than 1% of that value, which places the city in the low tier; it is an area estimate, and the cost for any one property can be higher or lower.
Estimated remediation costs in York can be compared with local home values. The $193–$714 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 2% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in York
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in York
Historical NFIP data for York contains 470 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $15,968. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 63% 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 $371 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 York
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Nitrate, listed in the water-quality records for York: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 69% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for York, PA