Pennsylvania: drinking water & radon
Pennsylvania has 1,781 active community water systems. Since 2016, 743 reported health-based violations; 391 had a latest lead result above 15 ppb; 108 measured PFOA or PFOS at or above 4 ppt.
Radon zones in Pennsylvania
tap a countyMost health-based violations
| Tri Cnty Jt Muni Auth 10,100 people | 49 |
| Pithole Water Association 87 people | 38 |
| Parker Area Water Auth 900 people | 32 |
| Icmsa Cherry Tree 375 people | 32 |
| Icmsa Rossiter 500 people | 30 |
| Pinecrest Village MHP 195 people | 30 |
| Jackson TWP Water Auth 4,236 people | 27 |
| Blawnox Boro Water Dept 2,200 people | 26 |
| Ebensburg Boro Muni Auth 8,500 people | 21 |
| PA American Water Steelton 6,428 people | 21 |
Highest latest lead (90th percentile)
| Muncy Borough Water Company 2,900 people | 890 ppb |
| Elderberry MHP 60 people | 640 ppb |
| Northern Tier Childrens Home 45 people | 356.5 ppb |
| Teen Challenge TRNG CTR 300 people | 256 ppb |
| Pediatric Specialty Care 56 people | 230.5 ppb |
| Red Rock Job Corps Center 425 people | 222.6 ppb |
| Mid Lakes Development 490 people | 152 ppb |
| Chicora Medical Center 150 people | 128.2 ppb |
| Northridge at Camelback 330 people | 122.8 ppb |
| Buckingham Vly Rehab & Nursing 190 people | 120.8 ppb |
Highest PFOA / PFOS
| Collegeville Trappe Joint PWD 8,470 people | 235 ppt |
| Emmaus Borough Public Water 14,000 people | 153 ppt |
| PA American Audubon 8,200 people | 57.9 ppt |
| Caernarvon TWP Auth 4,245 people | 55.8 ppt |
| Palmerton Municipal Authority 7,000 people | 42.5 ppt |
| Horsham Water&Sewer Authority 26,000 people | 33.8 ppt |
| City of Lancaster 120,000 people | 23.8 ppt |
| Northampton Bucks Co Mun Auth 36,750 people | 23 ppt |
| Veolia Water Bethel 7,809 people | 22.3 ppt |
| Buckingham TWP Cold Spring 4,760 people | 22 ppt |
Largest systems
| Philadelphia Water Department 1,600,000 people | 1,600,000 |
| Aqua Pa Main System 822,600 people | 822,600 |
| Pa Amer Water Co-Pittsburgh 686,000 people | 686,000 |
| Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth 520,000 people | 520,000 |
| Erie City Water Authority 220,001 people | 220,001 |
| York Water Co 206,762 people | 206,762 |
| West View Water Authority 200,000 people | 200,000 |
| Mawc Sweeney Plant 143,000 people | 143,000 |
| Chester Water Authority 140,437 people | 140,437 |
| Pa Amer Water Co Lake Scranton 137,142 people | 137,142 |
All ZIP codes in Pennsylvania
2,108 ZIP codes.
What this is — and isn’t. These are records your water utility and state reported to the EPA, and the EPA’s radon map for your county. They describe the system and the area, not the water from your own tap or the air in your home. For that, read your utility’s annual Consumer Confidence Report and test: lead and radon tests are inexpensive.
Questions
How many water systems in Pennsylvania have violations?
743 of 1,781 active community water systems in Pennsylvania reported at least one health-based violation since 2016 (EPA SDWIS).
What is the radon risk in Pennsylvania?
1,568 ZIP codes are in EPA radon zone 1 (highest potential), 454 in zone 2 and 86 in zone 3. EPA recommends testing every home.