Health Violations Found PA 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Sewickley Boro Water Authority

EPA ID: PA5020050 · 6,800 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Federal data shows 1 unresolved violation at Sewickley Boro Water Authority — roughly 6,800 residents in the service area.

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

C · 58
Avg Safety Score
6,800
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
7
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00549 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
4
Contaminants Flagged
$307K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 2 (2023) to 2 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Sewickley Boro Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$108,538
Median Household Income
85,752
Service Area Population
27%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
77%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Sewickley Boro Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $108,538 and an estimated 85,752 residents across its service area. Approximately 77% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Sewickley Boro Water 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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

59 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
15 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 80% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Sewickley Boro Water Authority compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Contaminant 0700 at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 1 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. 5 detections 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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Pennsylvania

0 violations
D 11 violations
East Cocalico Township
6,735 people
D 6 violations
D 12 violations
D 9 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
Water Filtration $300
PFAS Treatment $167
Total Estimated Cost $2,867

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.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,867 (one-time) vs. $10,330 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

Sewickley Boro Water Authority (EPA ID: PA5020050) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 6,800 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (58/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
December 15, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
November 4, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Health-based Resolved
November 4, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2024 Contaminant 0700 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 2 Yes
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 2 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment 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
15143 0.00549 mg/L No N/A

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

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 Sewickley Boro Water Authority (PA5020050) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sewickley Boro Water Authority water safe to drink?

Sewickley Boro Water Authority has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 Sewickley Boro Water Authority serve?

Sewickley Boro Water Authority serves approximately 6,800 people across 3 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.

Where does Sewickley Boro Water Authority get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
58
Detections
10
Latest sample
12/13/2023
Highest analyte
PFPeA: 12 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFPeA 12 ppt
PFHxA 7.8 ppt
PFBA 6.6 ppt
PFBS 5.7 ppt
PFHxS 3.3 ppt 10 ppt Below current MCL

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 →

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.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFHxS
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
3.9 ppt 10 ppt Below EPA limit
PFOS
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
3.55 ppt 4 ppt Below EPA limit
PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
3.22 ppt 4 ppt Below EPA limit

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 Sewickley Boro Water Authority.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

8
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
2,085
Unknown Material
124
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: 6,800
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 Sewickley Boro Water Authority safe to drink?
Sewickley Boro Water Authority has a C safety grade based on 7 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Sewickley Boro Water Authority's water?
Detected contaminants include Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule, Contaminant 0700, Lead and Copper Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 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 Sewickley Boro Water Authority serve?
Sewickley Boro Water Authority serves approximately 6,800 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Sewickley Boro Water Authority's water source?
Sewickley Boro Water Authority draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Sewickley Boro Water Authority's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00549 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Sewickley Boro Water Authority's service area?
The Sewickley Boro Water Authority service area has a median household income of $108,538. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Sewickley Boro Water Authority get its water?
Sewickley Boro Water 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. 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

Sewickley Boro Water Authority (EPA ID: PA5020050) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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