Water Quality in Alum Bank, PA: 2 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems
1 water system · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 2 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Alum Bank. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Alum Bank
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15521 | 2 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Alum Bank, Pennsylvania has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 2 violations (all classified as monitoring/reporting type in the available record) across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
Lead testing results for Alum Bank are unavailable in this dataset snapshot. Community water systems are required to monitor lead under the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule.
With 60% of homes built before 1986, Alum Bank has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Alum Bank
Alum Bank is served by 1 community water system regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 1,961 people live in the area (1 ZIP code, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list 7 enforcement actions against water systems serving Alum Bank. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Alum Bank
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Alum Bank Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Alum Bank's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
The standard column shows the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) except for lead and copper, whose value is an action level that triggers corrective steps and is not an MCL. Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL and treatment-technique violations.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 7 enforcement actions against water systems serving Alum Bank. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2023-12-04 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-12-04 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-11-07 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2023-10-24 | State Informal Action |
| 2021-08-17 | State Order Extension |
| 2021-03-10 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2021-03-10 | State Informal Enforcement |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2023-12-04.
Alum Bank vs. Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
How Alum Bank's water quality compares to similar cities in Pennsylvania:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Bank | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1,961 |
| Ulster | 0 | N/A | 0 | 1,964 |
| Sligo | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1,956 |
| Brogue | 1 | 47 | 1 | 1,953 |
Common Questions About Alum Bank Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Alum Bank, Pennsylvania:
Is Alum Bank water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Alum Bank's 1 water system uses a single source. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Alum Bank tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Alum Bank? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Alum Bank vs. Pennsylvania Average
Understanding how Alum Bank compares to the broader Pennsylvania average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Alum Bank.
ZIP Codes in Alum Bank
Alum Bank spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.