Monitoring Violations PA

Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp

EPA ID: PA4560036 · 700 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Five-year compliance data for Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp includes 2 violations the EPA has not yet marked resolved — those open findings are part of the utility's current enforcement profile, covering a service population of approximately 700 residents across the area it supplies.

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

D · 40
Avg Safety Score
700
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
14
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0567 mg/L
Max Lead Level — Exceeds Limit
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
8
Contaminants Flagged
$121K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 1 (2021) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$60,801
Median Household Income
9,603
Service Area Population
43%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
81%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp serves a community with a median household income of $60,801 and an estimated 9,603 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?

Groundwater

Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp'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
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Somerset 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

78 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
5 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 94% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

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.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Lead and Copper Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Contaminant 2959 at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 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. 1 detection recorded.

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

C 24 violations
C 0 violations
D 6 violations
Oak Ridge Authority
700 people
C 2 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Lead Pipe Replacement Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Lead Pipe Replacement $1,500
Flood Insurance $900
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $125
Total Estimated Cost $2,925

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Lead Exposure — Child Lifetime Cost $10,000

Per affected child (EPA est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,945
10 years
$15,890
20 years
$31,780

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,925 (one-time) vs. $15,890 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

Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp (EPA ID: PA4560036) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 700 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (40/100)

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

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
February 1, 2025 Contaminant 0700 Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2024 Contaminant 0700 Monitoring Resolved
January 11, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 11, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Copper Inorganic 2 No
Contaminant 2959 Other Violation 2 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 2 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 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
15544 0.0567 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 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: 3 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP 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 Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp (PA4560036) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp water safe to drink?

Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp serve?

Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp serves approximately 700 people across 4 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.

Where does Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp 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
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
202
Unknown Material
3
Confirmed Non-Lead

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.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 1994-01-01 exceeded the federal lead action level (0.015 mg/L).
Population served: 700
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 Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp safe to drink?
Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp has a D safety grade based on 14 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Lead and Copper Rule, Contaminant 2959. 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 Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp serve?
Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp serves approximately 700 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp's water source?
Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0567 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 Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp's service area?
The Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp service area has a median household income of $60,801. EPA EJScreen data classifies 43% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp get its water?
Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp'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

Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp (EPA ID: PA4560036) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Pennsylvania Gray Area Watr Authority of Jen Twp

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