Health Violations Found PA 2 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks

EPA ID: PA3540024 · 3,000 people served · 1 ZIP code

Based on the latest federal compliance data, Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks has 1 violation that the EPA has not yet closed — those outstanding findings are part of the enforcement record for a utility that delivers water to approximately 3,000 people throughout its service territory.

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

F · 38
Avg Safety Score
3,000
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
16
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.01705 mg/L
Max Lead Level — Exceeds Limit
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
7
Contaminants Flagged
$224K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 1 (2022) to 2 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade F

Service Area Demographics

$96,354
Median Household Income
6,711
Service Area Population
30%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
72%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks serves a community with a median household income of $96,354 and an estimated 6,711 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% 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

Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

49 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
21 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 70% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 3 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

What This Means For You

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Contaminant 0700 at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Pennsylvania

C 9 violations
Mansfield University
3,000 people
0 violations
D 0 violations
Walnutport Authority
3,000 people
D 40 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Lead Pipe Replacement Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Lead Pipe Replacement $4,320
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $7,020

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:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Lead Exposure — Child Lifetime Cost $10,000

Per affected child (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$10,280
10 years
$20,560
20 years
$41,120

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $7,020 (one-time) vs. $20,560 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

Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks (EPA ID: PA3540024) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 3,000 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 17961 in Orwigsburg.

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

2 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Unresolved
June 13, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2025 Contaminant 0700 Health-based Resolved
December 1, 2024 Contaminant 0700 Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Contaminant 0700 Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Contaminant 2051 Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 4 Yes
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 3 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 3 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No
Contaminant 2051 Other Violation 1 No
Radium-228 Radionuclides 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
17961 0.01705 mg/L Yes N/A
Lead exceeds EPA action level in at least one sampling location. Consider using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 filter rated for lead removal.

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: 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.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks (PA3540024) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks water safe to drink?

Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks has recorded 2 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks serve?

Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks serves approximately 3,000 people across 1 ZIP code in Pennsylvania.

Where does Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks 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
1
Galvanized — Replacement Required
629
Unknown Material
574
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 1996-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 3,000
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

Is water from Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks safe to drink?
Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks has a F safety grade based on 16 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Contaminant 0700, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Lead and Copper Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks serve?
Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks serves approximately 3,000 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks's water source?
Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.01705 mg/L. This exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. A lead-certified filter is recommended, especially for homes with young children.
What is the demographic profile of Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks's service area?
The Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks service area has a median household income of $96,354. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks get its water?
Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks'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 violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

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

Orwigsburg Municipal Water Wks (EPA ID: PA3540024) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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