Port Allegany Water Department
EPA ID: PA6420021 · 2,591 people served · 4 ZIP codes
The EPA enforcement database lists 2 active violations for Port Allegany Water Department — a provider that delivers drinking water to approximately 2,591 people and has not yet formally resolved those findings.
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 1 (2024) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Port Allegany Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Port Allegany Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $61,980 and an estimated 9,310 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 40% 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?
Port Allegany Water Department'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.
About 3% of homes in Potter 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 Port Allegany Water Department compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Chlorite at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 1 mg/L. Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children. Consider ferrous sulfate reduction filtration.
Fecal Coliform at 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Contaminant 2946 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
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.
Chlorite was detected in this water system. ferrous sulfate reduction filtration can reduce exposure.
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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
Port Allegany Water Department (EPA ID: PA6420021) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 2,591 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)
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 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Chlorite | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 1, 2025 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Chlorite | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Radium-228 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2946 | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 5 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 2946 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.
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 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 Port Allegany Water Department (PA6420021) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Allegany Water Department water safe to drink?
Port Allegany Water Department has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Port Allegany Water Department serve?
Port Allegany Water Department serves approximately 2,591 people across 4 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Port Allegany Water Department get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
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 Port Allegany Water Department.
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.
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
Port Allegany Water Department (EPA ID: PA6420021) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.