Chester Water Authority
EPA ID: PA1230004 · 140,437 people served · 22 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Chester Water Authority (PA1230004): no EPA violations recorded in the last five years. EPA data: Chester Water Authority - zero violations, five years, 140,437 served.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Chester Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Chester Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $121,899 and an estimated 343,368 residents across its service area. Approximately 55% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Chester Water Authority'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.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 79th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 162 detections recorded. 48 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 5 exceed state limits.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Pennsylvania
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
Chester Water Authority (EPA ID: PA1230004) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 140,437 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 22 ZIP codes across 22 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: D (43/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 14 of 22 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.00476 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by PA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
- 19013 - Chester
- 19014 - Aston
- 19015 - Brookhaven
- 19017 - Chester Heights
- 19060 - Garnet Valley
- 19061 - Marcus Hook
- 19063 - Media
- 19086 - Wallingford
- 19311 - Avondale
- 19317 - Chadds Ford
- 19319 - Cheyney
- 19330 - Cochranville
- 19342 - Glen Mills
- 19348 - Kennett Square
- 19350 - Landenberg
- 19352 - Lincoln University
- 19362 - Nottingham
- 19363 - Oxford
- 19373 - Thornton
- 19374 - Toughkenamon
- 19382 - West Chester
- 19390 - West Grove
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Chester Water Authority (PA1230004) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chester Water Authority water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot contains zero violation records for Chester Water Authority in the inclusive 2021-2026 record-year window. This is a compliance-record finding, not a guarantee about water at a specific tap.
How many people does Chester Water Authority serve?
Chester Water Authority serves approximately 140,437 people across 22 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Chester Water Authority get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
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 →
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Chester Water Authority, PA: Serves 140K People. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa1230004/
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title = {{Chester Water Authority, PA: Serves 140K People}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa1230004/}
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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
Chester Water Authority (EPA ID: PA1230004) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.