Columbia County, Pennsylvania
12 ZIP codes · Avg score 46/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Monitoring across Columbia County's 12 ZIP codes reveals a persistent pattern of below-average water quality — multiple areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little improvement over recent reporting cycles.
How Columbia County Compares
How Columbia County Compares
Columbia County scores 9 points below the Pennsylvania state average (55/100) and 22 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Columbia 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: $3,272, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.461% avg pipe failure probability, 82% of ZIPs at high risk
70.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Columbia County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 13 violations. Past 5 years: 17 total (17 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: $3,272
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
31,212 housing units in Columbia 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 Columbia County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Columbia 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 Columbia County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MILLVILLE MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY | 969 | 71 |
| 2 | Pa American Water Berwick | 15,282 | 19 |
| 3 | Brookside Village Mhp | 475 | 19 |
| 4 | Paw Wildcat Park | 73 | 19 |
| 5 | Copper Kettle Mhp | 62 | 19 |
22 total water systems serve Columbia County.
All ZIP Codes in Columbia County
12 ZIP codes tracked in Columbia County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17089 | Camp Hill | 69 | C | 16 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 17846 | Millville | 55 | C | 49 (2 health) | $219K |
| 3 | 17774 | Unityville | 53 | D | 0 | $223K |
| 4 | 17858 | Numidia | 53 | D | 0 | $238K |
| 5 | 18622 | Huntington Mills | 53 | D | 0 | $175K |
| 6 | 17820 | Catawissa | 51 | D | 2 | $211K |
| 7 | 17814 | Benton | 43 | D | 12 | $217K |
| 8 | 17815 | Bloomsburg | 43 | D | 0 | $217K |
| 9 | 17878 | Stillwater | 40 | D | 0 | $196K |
| 10 | 18611 | Cambra | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 11 | 17859 | Orangeville | 26 | F | 10 (1 health) | $213K |
| 12 | 18603 | Berwick | 21 | F | 19 | $165K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Columbia County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 2 ZIP codes
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 70.1% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Overview
Columbia County in Pennsylvania covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (46/100).
6 of 12 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 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
Columbia 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
70.1% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.