Borough of Howard
EPA ID: PA4140080 · 1,001 people served · 1 ZIP code
The five-year EPA compliance file for Borough of Howard contains 17 violations, each documented and subsequently closed — the utility now operates in full compliance and continues to supply approximately 1,001 residents with water meeting current federal standards, including both health-based and monitoring requirements.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Borough of Howard Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Borough of Howard serves a community with a median household income of $66,965 and an estimated 6,346 residents across its service area. Approximately 65% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 33% 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?
Borough of Howard'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.
About 0% of homes in Clinton County, Pennsylvania rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
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 Borough of Howard compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 0700 at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Radium-228 at 2 pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L). Bone cancer and leukemia (known carcinogen). Consider ion exchange (water softener) filtration.
Contaminant 2306 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
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
Borough of Howard (EPA ID: PA4140080) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 1,001 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 16841 in Howard.
Average Home Safety Score: D (54/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Radium-228 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 2306 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Nickel | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 3 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 2 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 2306 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 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 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.
- 16841 — Howard
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Borough of Howard (PA4140080) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Borough of Howard water safe to drink?
Borough of Howard has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Borough of Howard serve?
Borough of Howard serves approximately 1,001 people across 1 ZIP code in Pennsylvania.
Where does Borough of Howard get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
PFAS Substances Detected in This System
This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.
In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →
Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by Borough of Howard.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Borough of Howard (EPA ID: PA4140080) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.