Windber Area Authority
EPA ID: PA4560013 · 9,463 people served · 3 ZIP codes
7 total violations across five years at Windber Area Authority — every finding closed, utility compliant today, 9,463 served.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 4 (2021) to 4 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Windber Area Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The Windber Area Authority serves a community with a median household income of $59,256 and an estimated 28,019 residents across its service area. Approximately 81% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 43% 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?
Windber Area Authority'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 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
Detected Contaminants
How Windber Area Authority 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.
Contaminant 0700 at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 1085 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded.
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
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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
Windber Area Authority (EPA ID: PA4560013) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 9,463 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 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
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 11, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 1085 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 1085 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15963 | 0.0022 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 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.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Windber Area Authority (PA4560013) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windber Area Authority water safe to drink?
Windber Area Authority has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Windber Area Authority serve?
Windber Area Authority serves approximately 9,463 people across 3 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Windber Area Authority 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.
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 →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
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.
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
Windber Area Authority (EPA ID: PA4560013) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.