Plumstead Northern System
EPA ID: PA1090144 · 2,605 people served · 6 ZIP codes
Federal compliance records for Plumstead Northern System list 1 open violation that have not yet been resolved — the utility serves approximately 2,605 people, and each outstanding finding remains logged and active in the EPA enforcement database.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 3 (2025) to 2 (2026). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Plumstead Northern System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Plumstead Northern System serves a community with a median household income of $133,131 and an estimated 60,544 residents across its service area. Approximately 56% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Plumstead Northern System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 1% of homes in Bucks County, Pennsylvania rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Plumstead Northern System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Contaminant 1085 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Gross Alpha at 1 pCi/L exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L. Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Contaminant 0700 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 21 detections recorded. 6 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 3 exceed state limits.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
PLUMSTEAD NORTHERN SYSTEM (EPA ID: PA1090144) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 2,605 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 6 ZIP codes across 6 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (51/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 1085 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Gross Alpha | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 1085 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 4 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 18902 — Doylestown
- 18923 — Fountainville
- 18942 — Ottsville
- 18944 — Perkasie
- 18947 — Pipersville
- 18949 — Plumsteadville
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Plumstead Northern System (PA1090144) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plumstead Northern System water safe to drink?
Plumstead Northern System has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Plumstead Northern System serve?
Plumstead Northern System serves approximately 2,605 people across 6 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Plumstead Northern System get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
PFAS Substances Detected in This System
This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.
In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →
Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by PLUMSTEAD NORTHERN SYSTEM.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Plumstead Northern System (EPA ID: PA1090144) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.