Water System Report PA

Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority

EPA ID: PA3060038 · 21,000 people served · 13 ZIP codes

Zero violations in five consecutive years of EPA monitoring — Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority has held a clean track record across every reporting cycle in that span, with no enforcement activity of any kind on file for the full service population of 21,000 residents.

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

D · 40
Avg Safety Score
21,000
People Served
13
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$211K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 12 (2022) to 25 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$80,550
Median Household Income
236,181
Service Area Population
30%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority serves a community with a median household income of $80,550 and an estimated 236,181 residents across its service area. Approximately 78% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Muhlenberg Twp Muni 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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
70th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Berks 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 70th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

72 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
10 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 88% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 80 detections recorded. 18 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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Pennsylvania

C 4 violations
Dover Twp Water Sys
21,097 people
D 18 violations
Paw Philipsburg
20,784 people
D 3 violations
Nwwa Warrington Township
21,588 people
C 19 violations
D 15 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,400
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $546
Water Filtration $277
Total Estimated Cost $3,423

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,423 (one-time) vs. $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

Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority (EPA ID: PA3060038) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 21,000 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 13 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (40/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

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: 3 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 10 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 Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority (PA3060038) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority serve?

Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority serves approximately 21,000 people across 13 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.

Where does Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Minimal — disinfection only
Disinfection (typically chlorine) without additional filtration or coagulation stages. Common for groundwater systems where source water meets federal standards after disinfection alone.

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.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
CHLORINE

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from MUHLENBERG TWP MUNI 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: 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.

Samples collected
464
Detections
34
Latest sample
12/20/2024
Highest analyte
PFPeA: 16 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOS 11.5 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
PFPeA 16 ppt
PFHxA 15.6 ppt
PFOA 8.8 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFBA 6.6 ppt
PFHpA 5.5 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
PFBS
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Component of EPA Hazard Index — combined exposure assessed against unitless threshold of 1.0.
1.05 ppt No federal limit set
PFHxS
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
2.1 ppt 10 ppt Below EPA limit
PFNA
Perfluorononanoic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
4.65 ppt 10 ppt Below EPA limit
PFOS
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
5.525 ppt 4 ppt Above EPA limit
PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
3.65 ppt 4 ppt Below 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 MUHLENBERG TWP MUNI 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
107
Galvanized — Replacement Required
5,632
Unknown Material
2,529
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: 21,000
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 →

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

Is water from Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority safe to drink?
Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority has a D safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority serve?
Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority serves approximately 21,000 people with drinking water across 13 ZIP codes.
What is Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority's water source?
Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority's service area?
The Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority service area has a median household income of $80,550. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority get its water?
Muhlenberg Twp Muni 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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

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

Muhlenberg Twp Muni Authority (EPA ID: PA3060038) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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