Elk County, Pennsylvania
16 ZIP codes · Avg score 62/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Current EPA records place Elk County in the middle tier for drinking water safety, with 16 ZIP codes showing a range of outcomes.
How Elk County Compares
How Elk County Compares
Elk County scores 7 points above the Pennsylvania state average (55/100) and 6 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Elk County, Pennsylvania
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,500, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.492% avg pipe failure probability, 86% of ZIPs at high risk
77.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Elk County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 9 violations. Past 5 years: 23 total (23 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,500
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
21,368 housing units in Elk County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Elk County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Elk County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Elk County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Marys Area Water Authority | 19,588 | 74 |
| 2 | Brockway Boro Municipal Authority | 4,384 | 66 |
| 3 | JAY TWP WATER AUTHORITY | 1,131 | 48 |
| 4 | Johnsonburg Municipal Authority | 2,413 | 36 |
| 5 | RIDGWAY BOROUGH WATER SYSTEM | 4,700 | 14 |
11 total water systems serve Elk County.
All ZIP Codes in Elk County
16 ZIP codes tracked in Elk County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15846 | Kersey | 75 | B | 0 | $160K |
| 2 | 15860 | Sigel | 73 | B | 4 | $148K |
| 3 | 15870 | Wilcox | 70 | B | 7 | $107K |
| 4 | 16734 | James City | 70 | B | 5 | $54K |
| 5 | 15857 | Saint Marys | 69 | C | 12 | $145K |
| 6 | 15845 | Johnsonburg | 67 | C | 36 (3 health) | $75K |
| 7 | 15821 | Benezett | 63 | C | 0 | $153K |
| 8 | 15827 | Byrnedale | 63 | C | 0 | $77K |
| 9 | 15841 | Force | 63 | C | 0 | $48K |
| 10 | 15853 | Ridgway | 60 | C | 14 (1 health) | $108K |
| 11 | 15823 | Brockport | 55 | C | 0 | $141K |
| 12 | 15822 | Brandy Camp | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 13 | 15831 | Dagus Mines | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 14 | 16728 | De Young | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 15 | 16735 | Kane | 53 | D | 0 | $88K |
| 16 | 15868 | Weedville | 50 | D | 48 (3 health) | $132K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Elk County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 77.3% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Elk County, Pennsylvania
Overview
Elk County in Pennsylvania covers 16 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (62/100).
7 of 16 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Pennsylvania water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.