Water Quality in State College, PA: 210 Violations - Grade N/A
5 water systems · 2 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 210 violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for State College. 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 State College
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16803 | 210 | 4 | View report → |
| 16801 | 153 | 3 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving State College.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
Water Quality Overview
State College, Pennsylvania has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 2 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 210 violations, including 4 health-based violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across State College water systems is 0.0108 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 2 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 55% of homes built before 1986, State College 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 State College
State College is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 65,813 people across 4 ZIP codes.
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
The EPA has taken 20 enforcement actions against water systems serving State College. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in State College
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 State College Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across State College's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 120 | 2 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 8 | 2 | No |
| PFOA | PFAS | 0.000004 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| PFNA | PFAS | 0.00001 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Dibromochloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Chlorodibromomethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Bromochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Bromodichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
| Chlorodibromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 2 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving State College:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
Violations have decreased from 4 in 2021 to 1 in 2024, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 16 enforcement actions against water systems serving State College. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-04-30 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-04-30 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-02-23 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-23 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-01-30 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-01-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-28 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-01-06 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-06 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-01-05 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-04-30.
State College vs. Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
How State College's water quality compares to similar cities in Pennsylvania:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College | 2 | 210 | 5 | 65,813 |
| Johnstown | 6 | 256 | 8 | 65,568 |
| Pottstown | 2 | 27 | 5 | 66,393 |
| Levittown | 4 | 84 | 5 | 64,889 |
Common Questions About State College Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in State College, Pennsylvania:
Is State College water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. State College's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink State College tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 4 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for State College? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
State College vs. Pennsylvania Average
Understanding how State College 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 State College.
ZIP Codes in State College
State College spans 4 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 2 directly mapped ZIP codes. 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.