Ambridge Water Authority
EPA ID: PA5040008 · 19,500 people served · 5 ZIP codes
Compliance tracking for Ambridge Water Authority shows 4 pending violations logged in the EPA system — the supplier delivers water to approximately 19,500 residents while those findings remain open.
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 3 (2022) to 4 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Ambridge Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Ambridge Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $76,576 and an estimated 52,912 residents across its service area. Approximately 80% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Ambridge Water Authority'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.
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 64th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Ambridge Water 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.
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 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 0700 at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 3 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.
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
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
Ambridge Water Authority (EPA ID: PA5040008) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 19,500 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2025 | Chlorite | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Selenium | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Chlorite | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Nickel | 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 | 6 | Yes |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 4 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 3 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other Violation | 2 | No |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Chlorite (EPA limit: 1 mg/L)
Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children At-risk groups: infants, developing fetuses, people with G6PD deficiency.
Removal methods: ferrous sulfate reduction, activated carbon, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15003 | 0.0062 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 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 Ambridge Water Authority (PA5040008) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ambridge Water Authority water safe to drink?
Ambridge Water Authority has recorded 5 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 Ambridge Water Authority serve?
Ambridge Water Authority serves approximately 19,500 people across 5 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Ambridge Water Authority get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
Treatment chemicals and what each one does
Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from AMBRIDGE WATER AUTH Consumer Confidence Report.
Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.
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 →
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 AMBRIDGE WATER AUTH.
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.
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
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
Ambridge Water Authority (EPA ID: PA5040008) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.