Monitoring Violations PA

Fishertown Water Assn

EPA ID: PA4050029 · 801 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Looking at the EPA enforcement file for Fishertown Water Assn, 2 violations appear in the five-year dataset, but none remain open — the utility has addressed each finding and is in current compliance, with no pending enforcement affecting the 801 people in its service area.

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

C · 57
Avg Safety Score
801
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged
$191K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Fishertown Water Assn Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$65,451
Median Household Income
5,008
Service Area Population
36%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
72%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Fishertown Water Assn serves a community with a median household income of $65,451 and an estimated 5,008 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.

Environmental Justice Note: 36% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Fishertown Water Assn'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.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Bedford 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

70 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
18 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 80% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Fishertown Water Assn compares to EPA limits

Mercury 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.002 mg/L
Kidney damage, neurological impairment
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

What This Means For You

Mercury at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.002 mg/L. Kidney damage, neurological impairment. Consider activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

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.

Mercury was detected in this water system. activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Pennsylvania

0 violations
D 14 violations
C 2 violations
Hickory Hills Mhc
800 people
0 violations
B 3 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,400
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $2,600

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 $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,600 (one-time) vs. $5,000 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

Fishertown Water Assn (EPA ID: PA4050029) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 801 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (57/100)

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

Violation History

2 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Mercury Inorganic 1 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No

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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Fishertown Water Assn (PA4050029) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fishertown Water Assn water safe to drink?

Fishertown Water Assn has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Fishertown Water Assn serve?

Fishertown Water Assn serves approximately 801 people across 3 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.

Where does Fishertown Water Assn get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
58

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 →

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
83
Unknown Material
209
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: 801
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 Fishertown Water Assn safe to drink?
Fishertown Water Assn has a C safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Fishertown Water Assn's water?
Detected contaminants include Mercury, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 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 Fishertown Water Assn serve?
Fishertown Water Assn serves approximately 801 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Fishertown Water Assn's water source?
Fishertown Water Assn draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Fishertown Water Assn's service area?
The Fishertown Water Assn service area has a median household income of $65,451. EPA EJScreen data classifies 36% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Fishertown Water Assn get its water?
Fishertown Water Assn'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.

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

Fishertown Water Assn (EPA ID: PA4050029) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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