Watrous Water Association
EPA ID: PA2590029 · 75 people served · 1 ZIP code
The five-year EPA compliance file for Watrous Water Association contains 12 violations, each documented and subsequently closed — the utility now operates in full compliance and continues to supply approximately 75 residents with water meeting current federal standards, including both health-based and monitoring requirements.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Watrous Water Association Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Watrous Water Association serves a community with a median household income of $47,000 and an estimated 602 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.
Environmental Justice Note: 40% 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?
Watrous Water Association'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 Tioga 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.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Watrous Water Association compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
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.
E. coli at 5 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 3 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
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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
Watrous Water Association (EPA ID: PA2590029) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 75 people from surface water sources.
This system serves ZIP code 16921 in Gaines.
Average Home Safety Score: D (51/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Nickel | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 5 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 3 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 16921 — Gaines
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Watrous Water Association (PA2590029) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Watrous Water Association water safe to drink?
Watrous Water Association has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Watrous Water Association serve?
Watrous Water Association serves approximately 75 people across 1 ZIP code in Pennsylvania.
Where does Watrous Water Association get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
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.
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
Watrous Water Association (EPA ID: PA2590029) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.