Health Violations Found PA 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority

EPA ID: PA2400054 · 4,610 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority carries 18 resolved violations in the five-year EPA record — each has been formally closed, and the supplier, which serves approximately 4,610 people, now meets all applicable federal drinking water standards with no open enforcement activity remaining.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 59
Avg Safety Score
4,610
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
18
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
6
Contaminants Flagged
$152K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2022) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$62,877
Median Household Income
6,389
Service Area Population
34%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
92%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $62,877 and an estimated 6,389 residents across its service area. Approximately 92% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 34% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Luzerne 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 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

102 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Lead
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority compares to EPA limits

Uranium 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.03 mg/L
Kidney toxicity, increased cancer risk

What This Means For You

Uranium at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.03 mg/L. Kidney toxicity, increased cancer risk. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Contaminant 0700 at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 5 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFOA: 0.014 ppt, PFOS: 0.018 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Uranium was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Pennsylvania

0 violations
C 5 violations
D 43 violations
0 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $600
Water Filtration $300
PFAS Treatment $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,400

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,665
10 years
$15,330
20 years
$30,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,400 (one-time) vs. $15,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

FREELAND BORO MUNI WATER AUTH (EPA ID: PA2400054) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 4,610 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (59/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

3 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
February 1, 2025 Contaminant 0700 Monitoring Resolved
August 1, 2023 Contaminant 0700 Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2023 Contaminant 0700 Monitoring Resolved
March 13, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
March 1, 2023 Contaminant 0700 Health-based Resolved
January 13, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Contaminant 0700 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 7 Yes
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 4 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No
Uranium Radionuclides 1 No
Contaminant 2959 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 Filter

Free 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 1 additional ZIP 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 Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority (PA2400054) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority water safe to drink?

Freeland Boro Muni 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 Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority serve?

Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority serves approximately 4,610 people across 2 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.

Where does Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority 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.

Samples collected
290
Detections
12
Latest sample
10/16/2024
Highest analyte
PFOS: 9.1 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOS 9.1 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFOA 5.6 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFPeA 4.3 ppt
PFBS 4.2 ppt
PFHxA 3.7 ppt

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

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.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFHxS
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
1.9 ppt 10 ppt Below EPA limit
PFOS
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
10.7 ppt 4 ppt Above EPA limit
PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
5.74 ppt 4 ppt Above EPA limit

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 FREELAND BORO MUNI 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.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

9
Confirmed Lead
11
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1,093
Unknown Material
801
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-06-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 4,610
Reported to Pennsylvania

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority safe to drink?
Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority has a C safety grade based on 18 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority's water?
Detected contaminants include Uranium, Contaminant 0700, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Lead and Copper Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority serve?
Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority serves approximately 4,610 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority's water source?
Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority's service area?
The Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority service area has a median household income of $62,877. EPA EJScreen data classifies 34% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority get its water?
Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Freeland Boro Muni Water Authority (EPA ID: PA2400054) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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