Emmaus Borough Public Water
EPA ID: PA3390032 · 14,000 people served · 1 ZIP code
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Emmaus Borough Public Water (PA3390032): 1 past health-based violation, since resolved. Despite the 4 historical violations in its record, Emmaus Borough Public Water has cleared every one and now meets EPA standards serving 14,000 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Emmaus Borough Public Water Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade F
Service Area Demographics
The Emmaus Borough Public Water serves a community with a median household income of $93,924 and an estimated 18,693 residents across its service area. Approximately 75% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Emmaus Borough Public Water'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.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th 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 Emmaus Borough Public Water 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.
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.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule 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. 10 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
Emmaus Borough Public Water (EPA ID: PA3390032) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 14,000 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 18049 in Emmaus.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: F (33/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 1 of 1 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 4 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| May 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2021 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2021 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.003 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by PA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
- 18049 - Emmaus
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Emmaus Borough Public Water (PA3390032) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmaus Borough Public Water water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Emmaus Borough Public Water; its 4 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Emmaus Borough Public Water serve?
Emmaus Borough Public Water serves approximately 14,000 people across 1 ZIP code in Pennsylvania.
Where does Emmaus Borough Public Water get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
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.
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 →
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
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Emmaus Borough Public Water (PA): 1 Health Violation. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa3390032/
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author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Emmaus Borough Public Water (PA): 1 Health Violation}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa3390032/}
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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
Emmaus Borough Public Water (EPA ID: PA3390032) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.