Union County, Pennsylvania
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Water safety in Union County ranks low — 8 ZIP codes, persistent health-based violations on record.
How Union County Compares
How Union County Compares
Union County scores 4 points below the Pennsylvania state average (55/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Union 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: $1,606, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.469% avg pipe failure probability, 86% of ZIPs at high risk
69.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Union County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 1 violation. Past 5 years: 2 total (2 health-based).
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: $1,606
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
7,323 housing units in Union 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 Union County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Union 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 Union County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PA AMERICAN WHITE DEER | 30,209 | 49 |
| 2 | New Berlin Municipal Authority | 990 | 38 |
| 3 | Mifflinburg Boro Water Department | 3,690 | 35 |
| 4 | West Buffalo Twp Mun Authority | 333 | 35 |
| 5 | Pine Valley Mobile Home Court | 425 | 35 |
8 total water systems serve Union County.
All ZIP Codes in Union County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Union County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17844 | Mifflinburg | 59 | C | 35 (1 health) | $214K |
| 2 | 17856 | New Columbia | 56 | C | 14 (1 health) | $188K |
| 3 | 17855 | New Berlin | 54 | D | 3 | $211K |
| 4 | 17829 | Hartleton | 53 | D | 0 | $135K |
| 5 | 17835 | Laurelton | 53 | D | 0 | $181K |
| 6 | 17883 | Vicksburg | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 7 | 17845 | Millmont | 43 | D | 19 | $198K |
| 8 | 17880 | Swengel | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Union County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 69.1% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- 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 Union County, Pennsylvania
Overview
Union County in Pennsylvania covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).
4 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 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.
What You Can Do
Union County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
69.1% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.