Health Violations Found PA 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside

EPA ID: PA4110034 · 49,500 people served · 13 ZIP codes

Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside shows 2 open EPA violations in current federal records for approximately 49,500 people.

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

B · 70
Avg Safety Score
49,500
People Served
13
ZIP Codes Served
45
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.005 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
14
Contaminants Flagged
$96K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 22 (2021) to 18 (2024). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$59,226
Median Household Income
72,455
Service Area Population
41%
Disadvantaged Population
51th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
86%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside serves a community with a median household income of $59,226 and an estimated 72,455 residents across its service area. Approximately 86% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 41% 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?

Surface Water

Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
47th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
21th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Cambria 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

71 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
6 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 92% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 4 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects
Uranium 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.03 mg/L
Kidney toxicity, increased cancer risk
Selenium 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.05 mg/L
Hair & nail loss, nerve damage, liver & kidney damage

What This Means For You

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Uranium at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.03 mg/L. Kidney toxicity, increased cancer risk. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Selenium at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.05 mg/L. Hair & nail loss, nerve damage, liver & kidney damage. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 7 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. 9 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

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 →

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

D 27 violations
Pa Amer Water Company
50,200 people
D 16 violations
Aqua Pa West Chester
48,600 people
D 15 violations
D 1 violation
D 27 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,154
Water Filtration $415
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $162
Total Estimated Cost $2,131

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.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,665
10 years
$15,330
20 years
$30,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,131 (one-time) vs. $15,330 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

Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside (EPA ID: PA4110034) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 49,500 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 13 ZIP codes across 6 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (70/100)

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

Violation History

3 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
September 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2025 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
December 11, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
August 7, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
May 11, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 26, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Resolved
February 10, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
February 6, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 11, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Contaminant 1036 Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Resolved
January 1, 2024 Selenium Monitoring Resolved
December 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring 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 9 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 7 No
E. coli Microbiological 5 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 5 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 4 Yes
Chlorite Disinfection Byproducts 3 No
Copper Inorganic 2 No
Uranium Radionuclides 2 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 2 No
Selenium Inorganic 1 No
Contaminant 1036 Other Violation 1 No
Contaminant 2959 Other Violation 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Health Risk Details

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)

Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
15901 0.005 mg/L No N/A
15902 0.005 mg/L No N/A
15904 0.005 mg/L No N/A
15905 0.005 mg/L No N/A
15906 0.005 mg/L No N/A
15907 0.005 mg/L No N/A
15909 0.005 mg/L No N/A
15915 0.005 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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: 8 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 5 additional ZIPs 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 Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside (PA4110034) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside water safe to drink?

Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside has recorded 3 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 Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside serve?

Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside serves approximately 49,500 people across 13 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.

Where does Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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
116

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:

4,345
Confirmed Lead
33
Galvanized — Replacement Required
15,186
Unknown Material
1,833
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 2025-06-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 49,500
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 →

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

Is water from Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside safe to drink?
Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside earns a B safety grade with 45 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Uranium, Selenium, Consumer Confidence Report 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 Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside serve?
Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside serves approximately 49,500 people with drinking water across 13 ZIP codes.
What is Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside's water source?
Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.005 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside's service area?
The Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside service area has a median household income of $59,226. EPA EJScreen data classifies 41% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside get its water?
Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. 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

Greater Johnstown Water Authority Riverside (EPA ID: PA4110034) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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