Ambler Boro Water Department
EPA ID: PA1460020 ยท 20,000 people served ยท 6 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Ambler Boro Water Department (PA1460020): PFAS sampling above the current EPA limit (UCMR5). While 12 violations did appear in Ambler Boro Water Department's five-year monitoring record, none remain unresolved - the utility has returned to full compliance and continues to serve approximately 20,000 residents under all current EPA drinking water standards.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Ambler Boro Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade F
Service Area Demographics
The Ambler Boro Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $148,334 and an estimated 87,631 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.
๐ Where Does Your Water Come From?
Ambler Boro 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.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th 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 90th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Ambler Boro 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.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Contaminant 0700 at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Fecal Coliform at 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule 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. 56 detections recorded. 19 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.
Find a certified water filter โComparable 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
Ambler Boro Water Department (EPA ID: PA1460020) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 20,000 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 6 ZIP codes across 6 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: F (33/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 1 of 6 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
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 11 resolved, 1 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 1, 2026 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| May 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| November 1, 2023 | E. coli | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| November 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| May 1, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| December 1, 2022 | Fecal Coliform | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| November 1, 2022 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| September 1, 2022 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| September 1, 2021 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| April 1, 2021 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| April 1, 2021 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 6 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 1 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0023 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 $20โ$50 (DIY kit) ยท Professional inspection: $150โ$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking โ 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.
- 19002 - Ambler
- 19025 - Dresher
- 19031 - Flourtown
- 19034 - Fort Washington
- 19422 - Blue Bell
- 19462 - Plymouth Meeting
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Ambler Boro Water Department (PA1460020) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ambler Boro Water Department water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Ambler Boro Water Department; its 12 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Ambler Boro Water Department serve?
Ambler Boro Water Department serves approximately 20,000 people across 6 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Ambler Boro Water Department get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Above Current MCL
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). One or more PFAS compounds were measured above 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) โ per-system federal sampling, 2023โ2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program โ
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Ambler Boro Water Department (PA): 12 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa1460020/
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title = {{Ambler Boro Water Department (PA): 12 EPA Violations}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa1460020/}
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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 โ
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report โ
Contact your utility
Ambler Boro Water Department (EPA ID: PA1460020) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.