ZipCheckup grade for 19608: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
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Reading, PA (19608): PFAS Above 2029 MCL Level - 46/100
EPA data combined for 4 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: Paw Penn District)
Health-based violation records by water system:
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 19608 in Reading, PA contain 11 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 2 are marked health-based.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS
At a Glance
- Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 2 health-based violations and 9 non-health-based (since 2021).
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.003 mg/L is below the EPA action level for water systems; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
- PFAS At least one PFAS result is above an EPA MCL value (UCMR5 sampling; MCL compliance required from 2029).
- Radon EPA Zone 1 - highest county-level potential. This is not a home measurement; test before any threshold comparison.
- Flood 25 cumulative NFIP claim records. Check the current FEMA map for a specific address.
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Review the critical finding below for 19608 in Reading - the same record holds 1 high-priority alert.
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: 46/100
This is the published model score. Component and domain values are shown independently; they are not added together on this page.
Canonical components
Required domains
Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.
Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.
Safety & Health (7) CRITICAL
Your Water System
ZIP code 19608 in Reading, Pennsylvania is mapped to the water system Paw Penn District (EPA ID: PA3060069). This system provides water to approximately 28,508 people from groundwater sources.
There are 4 community water systems serving this area.
Water Systems Serving This Area
| System Name | EPA ID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paw Penn District | PA3060069 | 28,508 | Groundwater |
| Wernersville Muni Water Authority | PA3060076 | 7,920 | Surface water |
| Shillington Muni Authority | PA3060067 | 13,300 | Surface water |
| Wbwa Mohrsville District | PA3060087 | 375 | Groundwater |
Other Water Quality Reports in Pennsylvania
- 15001 (Aliquippa) - 43 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15003 (Ambridge) - 16 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15004 (Atlasburg)
- 15005 (Baden) - 18 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15006 (Bairdford)
- 15007 (Bakerstown) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15009 (Beaver) - 62 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15010 (Beaver Falls) - 27 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15012 (Belle Vernon) - 75 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15014 (Brackenridge) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 15015 (Bradfordwoods) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15017 (Bridgeville)
- 15018 (Buena Vista)
- 15019 (Bulger)
- 15020 (Bunola) - 8 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15021 (Burgettstown)
- 15022 (Charleroi) - 4 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15024 (Cheswick) - 8 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 15025 (Clairton)
- 15026 (Clinton) - 18 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Nearby Water Quality Reports
- 19609 (Reading) - 3 mi - 7 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 19607 (Reading) - 3 mi - 12 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 19565 (Wernersville) - 3 mi - 12 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 19610 (Reading) - 4 mi - 10 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 19540 (Mohnton) - 5 mi - 12 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 17569 (Reinholds) - 5 mi - 7 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 19611 (Reading) - 5 mi - 7 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 19501 (Adamstown) - 5 mi - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 19601 (Reading) - 6 mi - 10 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 19551 (Robesonia) - 6 mi - 13 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Paw Penn District (PA3060069) on EPA.gov.
4 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.
Compliance History
PFAS Contamination Detected
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 19608. One or more compound results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029.
Detected compounds: PFPeA, PFHxA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFBS.
Highest measured level: 0.0304 µg/L
Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.
Environmental Hazards (11) HIGH
Home & Infrastructure (8) HIGH
Possible home maintenance concerns - talk to a local expert.
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Cost & Community (9) HIGH
CPSC product recall notices
These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.
Protect Your Home in Reading
Based on local data for ZIP 19608, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.
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Home & Flood Insurance
The ZIP code for this report in Reading has 25 FEMA flood claims on record. Standard homeowner policies don't cover flood damage - make sure you're protected.
Typical cost: Flood insurance: premiums vary by property and flood zone; request a quote
Check Your Flood Zone (Free)FEMA flood map lookup - see if your property is in a flood zone
Free tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov (free lookup)
Service recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in 19608 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 11 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 19608 (primary system: Paw Penn District), including 2 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.
Where does 19608's water come from?
The recorded water source for Paw Penn District, a system mapped to ZIP code 19608, is Groundwater. This system serves approximately 28,508 people.
How does Reading water compare to the national average?
Reading's Home Safety Score ranks lower than 96% of U.S. ZIP codes, and lower than 76% of ZIP codes within Pennsylvania.
How can I get my water tested in Reading?
If Paw Penn District supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.
Is lead a concern in 19608 tap water?
The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 19608 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.003 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2025-09-30). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L. This result is below the EPA action level; it does not show the lead level in each home.
What is the radon risk for 19608?
19608 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 1 (high county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Berks County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.
Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 19608's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 19608. One or more PFAS results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.
What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 19608?
FEMA records contain 25 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 19608; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is X, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. Claim records do not establish current property risk. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). Reading, PA (19608): PFAS Above 2029 MCL Level - 46/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/19608/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-19608,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Reading, PA (19608): PFAS Above 2029 MCL Level - 46/100}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/19608/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 19608
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19609 | Reading, PA | 2.6 mi | C | 7 |
| 19607 | Reading, PA | 2.6 mi | D | 12 |
| 19565 | Wernersville, PA | 3.2 mi | D | 12 |
| 19610 | Reading, PA | 3.5 mi | D | 10 |
| 19540 | Mohnton, PA | 4.5 mi | C | 12 |
| 17569 | Reinholds, PA | 4.6 mi | D | 7 |
| 19611 | Reading, PA | 4.9 mi | D | 7 |
| 19501 | Adamstown, PA | 4.9 mi | N/A | 5 |
| 19601 | Reading, PA | 5.8 mi | D | 10 |
| 19551 | Robesonia, PA | 6.2 mi | C | 13 |
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