Smethport Borough
EPA ID: PA6420023 · 2,400 people served · 4 ZIP codes
Despite the 13 historical violations in its record, Smethport Borough has cleared every one and now meets EPA standards serving 2,400 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 4 (2023) to 2 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Smethport Borough Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Smethport Borough serves a community with a median household income of $71,748 and an estimated 4,499 residents across its service area. Approximately 85% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 33% 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?
Smethport Borough'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 1% of homes in McKean 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 Smethport Borough compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Organic Carbon 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.
Radium-228 was detected in this water system. ion exchange (water softener) 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
SMETHPORT BOROUGH (EPA ID: PA6420023) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 2,400 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (67/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 11, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Radium-228 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| March 13, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| February 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Total Organic Carbon | 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 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 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: 2 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 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.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Smethport Borough (PA6420023) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smethport Borough water safe to drink?
Smethport Borough 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 Smethport Borough serve?
Smethport Borough serves approximately 2,400 people across 4 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Smethport Borough get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
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
Smethport Borough (EPA ID: PA6420023) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.