Radium in Pennsylvania Drinking Water — 46 ZIPs Tested
EPA data analysis for radium in Pennsylvania drinking water systems
Radium Contamination in Pennsylvania
ZipCheckup analyzed drinking water data across 2,184 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania for radium contamination. 46 ZIP codes have reported radium detections, and 226 have EPA violations on record.
The violation rate for radium in Pennsylvania is 10.3% of all ZIP codes — higher than the national average.
EPA Standard for Radium
The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for radium is 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228), governed by the Radionuclides Rule. Water systems that exceed this limit must take corrective action and notify consumers.
Worst ZIP Codes for Radium in Pennsylvania
These ZIP codes reported the highest radium levels in Pennsylvania based on CCR reports and EPA data:
Lowest Radium Levels in Pennsylvania
These ZIP codes had the lowest reported radium detections in Pennsylvania:
Health Effects of Radium
Radium is a radioactive element that increases cancer risk, particularly bone cancer. It accumulates in bones because the body treats it like calcium. The EPA estimates that drinking water with 5 pCi/L of radium over a lifetime poses a 1 in 10,000 cancer risk.
How to Remove Radium From Drinking Water
The most effective treatment for radium removal is Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange. Look for filters certified under NSF 58 standards.
Check Your ZIP Code
Use the ZipCheckup water quality search to see radium data for your specific water system in Pennsylvania.
Worst ZIP Codes for Radium in Pennsylvania
Ranked by highest radium detection level.
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | Level Detected | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16021 | Branchton | 9.67 ppm | 15 ppm | Within Limit |
| 2 | 16038 | Harrisville | 9.67 ppm | 15 ppm | Within Limit |
| 3 | 16057 | Slippery Rock | 9.67 ppm | 15 ppm | Within Limit |
| 4 | 18059 | Laurys Station | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 5 | 18067 | Northampton | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 6 | 18078 | Schnecksville | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 7 | 18914 | Chalfont | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 8 | 18915 | Colmar | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 9 | 18932 | Line Lexington | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 10 | 18954 | Richboro | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 11 | 19426 | Collegeville | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 12 | 19438 | Harleysville | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 13 | 19446 | Lansdale | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 14 | 19474 | Skippack | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 15 | 19490 | Worcester | 8.26 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 16 | 17315 | Dover | 7.89 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 17 | 15301 | Washington | 5.4 pCi/l | 5 pCi/l | Exceeds |
| 18 | 15311 | Amity | 5.4 pCi/l | 5 pCi/l | Exceeds |
| 19 | 15320 | Carmichaels | 5.4 pCi/l | 5 pCi/l | Exceeds |
| 20 | 15322 | Clarksville | 5.4 pCi/l | 5 pCi/l | Exceeds |
Lowest Radium Levels in Pennsylvania
Cities with Radium Data in Pennsylvania
24 cities in Pennsylvania have radium testing data available.
+ 4 more cities