Bowmanstown Authority
EPA ID: PA3130021 · 900 people served · 4 ZIP codes
With 3 unresolved EPA violations, Bowmanstown Authority is currently out of full compliance — approximately 900 people in its service area.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 1 (2021) to 4 (2025). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Bowmanstown Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade F
Service Area Demographics
The Bowmanstown Authority serves a community with a median household income of $65,959 and an estimated 21,728 residents across its service area. Approximately 80% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Bowmanstown 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.
About 2% of homes in Carbon 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 68th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Bowmanstown Authority 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.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Radium-228 at 1 pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L). Bone cancer and leukemia (known carcinogen). Consider ion exchange (water softener) filtration.
Contaminant 0700 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. 8 detections recorded. 4 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 2 exceed state limits.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 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
Bowmanstown Authority (EPA ID: PA3130021) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 900 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: F (38/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| March 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18030 | 0.0291 mg/L | Yes | 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: 3 ZIP codes 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 Bowmanstown Authority (PA3130021) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowmanstown Authority water safe to drink?
Bowmanstown Authority has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Bowmanstown Authority serve?
Bowmanstown Authority serves approximately 900 people across 4 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Bowmanstown Authority get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
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
Bowmanstown Authority (EPA ID: PA3130021) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.