Pottstown Borough Water Authority
EPA ID: PA1460037 · 36,000 people served · 3 ZIP codes
In the most recent EPA reporting cycle, Pottstown Borough Water Authority carried 1 violation still marked as unresolved — each remains active in the federal enforcement ledger while the utility continues operations for its service population of approximately 36,000 people across the area it supplies.
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 2 (2021) to 2 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Pottstown Borough Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Pottstown Borough Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $91,253 and an estimated 66,393 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Pottstown Borough 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.
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.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 83th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Pottstown Borough Water Authority compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Lead and Copper Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 0700 at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 0800 at 2 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. 8 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
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
Pottstown Borough Water Authority (EPA ID: PA1460037) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 36,000 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (46/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 11, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 10, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 25, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0800 | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 10, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 4 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 3 | No |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other Violation | 2 | Yes |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
E. coli (EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action))
Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children At-risk groups: children under 5, elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women.
Removal methods: UV disinfection (99.99%), chlorination, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19464 | 0.0009 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: 1 ZIP code 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.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Pottstown Borough Water Authority (PA1460037) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pottstown Borough Water Authority water safe to drink?
Pottstown Borough Water Authority has recorded 3 health-based violations 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 Pottstown Borough Water Authority serve?
Pottstown Borough Water Authority serves approximately 36,000 people across 3 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Pottstown Borough Water Authority get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
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.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from POTTSTOWN BOROUGH WATER AUTH 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 POTTSTOWN BOROUGH WATER AUTH.
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.
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
Pottstown Borough Water Authority (EPA ID: PA1460037) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.