Based on EPA UCMR5 monitoring data, EPA SDWIS federal violations records, and EWG Tap Water Database published findings.
Disinfection byproducts — compounds formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in river water — are a consistent detection in this system, per EWG records. While legal under current federal standards, these compounds (including trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids) are associated with elevated cancer risk at lifetime exposure levels, per EPA risk assessments.
Water source: Surface water (Susquehanna River)
Water utility: Pennsylvania American Water
Detected at approximately 4.4 ppt per EPA monitoring data — above the EPA's 4 ppt maximum contaminant level (effective 2026). Reverse osmosis or AquaTru filtration removes 99%+ of PFAS compounds.
The EPA's new maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS is 4 ppt, effective 2026. PFAS compounds have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune disruption, and developmental issues at chronic exposure levels per peer-reviewed research.
The following contaminants have been detected or are associated with elevated risk in this water system, per available EPA and EWG published data:
These detections are drawn from EPA SDWIS federal violations database and EWG Tap Water Database records. EWG health guidelines are stricter than EPA legal limits and reflect long-term exposure risk.
No health-based EPA violations recorded in the past 5 years at this utility. Note: EPA violations reflect legal compliance thresholds, which are less protective than the EWG health guidelines used in HAVEN's scoring model.
Reverse osmosis filtration is recommended — AquaTru Carafe ($149) or APEC ROES-50 under-sink RO ($250). RO removes 99%+ PFAS, lead, nitrates, arsenic, chromium, and disinfection byproducts in a single system.
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