Phoenixville Water Department
EPA ID: PA1150077 · 16,599 people served · 8 ZIP codes
Based on the latest federal compliance data, Phoenixville Water Department has 1 violation that the EPA has not yet closed — those outstanding findings are part of the enforcement record for a utility that delivers water to approximately 16,599 people throughout its service territory.
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 9 (2024) to 1 (2026). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Phoenixville Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Phoenixville Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $120,472 and an estimated 88,824 residents across its service area. Approximately 71% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Phoenixville Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Montgomery 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. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 85th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Phoenixville Water Department 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.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Fecal Coliform at 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Contaminant 2033 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. 17 detections recorded. 5 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds state limits.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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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
PHOENIXVILLE WATER DEPT (EPA ID: PA1150077) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 16,599 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 8 ZIP codes across 5 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (42/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 4, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Chlorite | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Contaminant 4102 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2033 | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 2033 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 4102 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Chlorite (EPA limit: 1 mg/L)
Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children At-risk groups: infants, developing fetuses, people with G6PD deficiency.
Removal methods: ferrous sulfate reduction, activated carbon, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19460 | 0.00288 mg/L | No | N/A |
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: 3 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 5 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.
- 19426 — Collegeville
- 19453 — Mont Clare
- 19456 — Oaks
- 19460 — Phoenixville
- 19493 — Valley Forge
- 19494 — Valley Forge
- 19495 — Valley Forge
- 19496 — Valley Forge
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Phoenixville Water Department (PA1150077) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenixville Water Department water safe to drink?
Phoenixville Water Department has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Phoenixville Water Department serve?
Phoenixville Water Department serves approximately 16,599 people across 8 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Phoenixville Water Department get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Contact Your Water Utility
Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.
Contact information from Phoenixville Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Water Source & Treatment
Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.
Source: Phoenixville Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
The source overall has a moderate risk of significant contamination. The Assessment found that this source is potentially susceptible to spills, failing septic systems, wastewater lift station and collector overflows, runoff from roads and parking lots, and waterfowl. The Schuylkill River is susceptible to the effects of acid mine drainage in the upper watershed.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
Treatment chemicals and what each one does
Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.
Watershed exposure sources reported
Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Phoenixville Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.
Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.
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 Phoenixville Water Department.
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.
Notable events and violations
This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.
Federal compliance violations on record
These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).
-
monitoring and reporting · Trihalomethanes2024-10
Failure to monitor and report Trihalomethanes to the DEP during the required timeframe
-
monitoring · TOC Removal Ratio2024
Failed to meet required Total Organic Carbon removal percentage for a quarter (laboratory error reported)
Violations record from Phoenixville Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.
Notable events from the utility's CCR
These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.
- Failure to monitor and report Trihalomethanes to DEP in October 2024
- Took corrective action on Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal failure (later attributed to lab error)
ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
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
Phoenixville Water Department (EPA ID: PA1150077) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.