Mars Borough Water Works
EPA ID: PA5100049 · 1,956 people served · 3 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Mars Borough Water Works (PA5100049): 6 EPA violations in the last five years. While 6 violations did appear in Mars Borough Water Works's five-year monitoring record, none remain unresolved - the utility has returned to full compliance and continues to serve approximately 1,956 residents under all current EPA drinking water standards.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Mars Borough Water Works Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Mars Borough Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $100,606 and an estimated 27,789 residents across its service area. Approximately 57% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Mars Borough Water Works'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.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Mars Borough Water Works compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Contaminant 0700 at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Radium-226 at 1 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.
Radium-228 at 1 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.
Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Radium-226 was detected in this water system. ion exchange (water softener) 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
Mars Borough Water Works (EPA ID: PA5100049) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 1,956 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 6 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 11, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| June 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| March 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2021 | Combined Radium | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2021 | Radium-226 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2021 | Radium-228 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 2 | No |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Radium-226 | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
No reported lead measurement appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. Absence of a reported measurement is not a measured zero.
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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 Mars Borough Water Works (PA5100049) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mars Borough Water Works water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Mars Borough Water Works; its 6 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Mars Borough Water Works serve?
Mars Borough Water Works serves approximately 1,956 people across 3 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Mars Borough Water Works get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Mars Borough Water Works (PA): 6 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa5100049/
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author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Mars Borough Water Works (PA): 6 EPA Violations}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa5100049/}
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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
Mars Borough Water Works (EPA ID: PA5100049) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.