Mawc Sweeney Plant
EPA ID: PA5650032 · 143,000 people served · 47 ZIP codes
Mawc Sweeney Plant's record shows 15 remedied violations — all cleared, currently compliant, 143,000 residents.
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 2 (2021) to 1 (2026). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Mawc Sweeney Plant Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Mawc Sweeney Plant serves a community with a median household income of $68,047 and an estimated 364,233 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?
Mawc Sweeney Plant'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.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Mawc Sweeney Plant compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
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.
Chlorite at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 1 mg/L. Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children. Consider ferrous sulfate reduction filtration.
E. coli at 4 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 1036 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. 21 detections recorded. 6 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 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
Mawc Sweeney Plant (EPA ID: PA5650032) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 143,000 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 47 ZIP codes across 45 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (49/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Chlorite | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2023 | Chlorite | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Chlorite | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 4 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Contaminant 1036 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
E. coli (EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action))
Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children At-risk groups: children under 5, elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women.
Removal methods: UV disinfection (99.99%), chlorination, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15601 | 0.00348 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 15605 | 0.00348 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 15606 | 0.00348 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: 43 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 4 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
This system serves 47 ZIP codes:
15035 · 15068 · 15085 · 15137 · 15146 15148 · 15239 · 15601 · 15605 · 15606 15611 · 15613 · 15615 · 15618 · 15619 15623 · 15624 · 15626 · 15627 · 15629 15632 · 15633 · 15634 · 15635 · 15636 15641 · 15642 · 15644 · 15647 · 15650 15656 · 15662 · 15664 · 15665 · 15668 15670 · 15673 · 15675 · 15681 · 15684 15685 · 15686 · 15690 · 15692 · 15717 15725 · 16229
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Mawc Sweeney Plant (PA5650032) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mawc Sweeney Plant water safe to drink?
Mawc Sweeney Plant has recorded 2 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 Mawc Sweeney Plant serve?
Mawc Sweeney Plant serves approximately 143,000 people across 47 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Mawc Sweeney Plant get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
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:
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
Mawc Sweeney Plant (EPA ID: PA5650032) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.