Water System Report PA

Desales University

EPA ID: PA3390093 · 2,000 people served · 1 ZIP code

Zero EPA violations over five years — Desales University has kept tap water compliance clean for its full service population of 2,000.

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

2,000
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged
$398K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Desales University Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$134,137
Median Household Income
9,501
Service Area Population
28%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
45%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Desales University serves a community with a median household income of $134,137 and an estimated 9,501 residents across its service area. Approximately 45% 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

Desales University'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
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
80th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Lehigh 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.

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

29 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
41 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 41% 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. 1 detection recorded.

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

F 6 violations
D 13 violations
Duncannon Muni Water
2,000 people
F 21 violations
D 20 violations
D 2 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $2,900

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 $2,900 (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

Desales University (EPA ID: PA3390093) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 2,000 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 18034 in Center Valley.

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.

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

  • 18034 — Center Valley

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Desales University (PA3390093) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Desales University water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Desales University has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Desales University serve?

Desales University serves approximately 2,000 people across 1 ZIP code in Pennsylvania.

Where does Desales University 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
4
Unknown Material
68
Confirmed Non-Lead

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.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 1996-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,000
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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a water filter?
Desales University meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Desales University serve?
Desales University serves approximately 2,000 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Desales University's water source?
Desales University draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Desales University's service area?
The Desales University service area has a median household income of $134,137. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Desales University get its water?
Desales University'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.
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