Is Plumstead Northern System water safe to drink?

Plumstead Northern System (PWS ID: PA1090144) has 635 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 6 PFAS compounds found. EPA SDWIS lists this system's service population as 2,605 people using Groundwater sources.

How many people does Plumstead Northern System serve?

EPA SDWIS reports that Plumstead Northern System serves 2,605 people (this public water system's service population, not the municipal population of Pipersville or any other city). It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 996 service connections. The operator address is listed in Pipersville, Pennsylvania.

What type of violations does Plumstead Northern System have?

Plumstead Northern System has 635 total violations: 0 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 629 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.

Has PFAS been detected in Plumstead Northern System water?

Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 6 PFAS compounds in Plumstead Northern System's water supply: PFBS, PFOS, PFOA, PFHxA, PFPeA, and others. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.

What water source does Plumstead Northern System use?

Plumstead Northern System uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.

Where does this data come from?

All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Where does Plumstead Northern System sit among U.S. public water systems?

According to EPA SDWIS population_served among sitemap-advertised systems (serving 500+), Plumstead Northern System ranks #11,576 of 29,740 by people served, and #442 of 1,340 in Pennsylvania. Ordinals use population_served DESC among systems serving 500+ (the sitemap cohort). See /methodology#corpus-placement.

How does Plumstead Northern System's violation count compare nationally?

Plumstead Northern System has 635 recorded EPA SDWIS violations, fewer than 3% of the 29,740 public water systems serving 500 or more people nationwide (the same sitemap cohort used for the corpus-placement ranking above). 97% of that cohort has fewer violations than Plumstead Northern System. A system can have zero recorded violations and still be actively monitored, and a high violation count often reflects a system that reports thoroughly, not necessarily one with worse water.

States → Pennsylvania

Community Water System · PWS PA1090144

Plumstead Northern System

Operator location Pipersville, Pennsylvania - 0% of 635 violations are health-based (lower-third health share (≤ 1%)); groundwater source; 2,605 served per SDWIS.

Compiled by PlainWater · May 15, 2026

2,605
People served (this PWS) Middle third of systems: 635
EPA violations (this PWS) Upper third of systems: 0
Health-based (this PWS) Lower third by health-based share: 6 PFAS
UCMR5 (this PWS) Upper third of PFAS-detected systems

Follow published updates (RSS)

Plumstead Northern System standing, high SDWIS violation third

0% of 635 recorded violations are health-based - lower-third health share (≤ 1%). Corpus terciles use 29,740 systems serving 500+ (the sitemap cohort). Health-based share 0% is lower-third health share (≤ 1%). UCMR5: upper-third PFAS panel (> 4 compounds). Population rank #11,576 of 29,740 among systems serving 500+.

The verdict

Plumstead Northern System sits in the upper third of the sitemap cohort by violation count (635), so the tables below sample a dense compliance trail rather than a near-clean ledger. Population served is mid-pack at 2,605 (mid served population (≤ 3,309)). Health-based share is only 0% - almost all of this trail is monitoring or reporting. UCMR5 detected 6 PFAS compounds (upper-third PFAS panel (> 4 compounds)).

#11,576 of 29,740
Population · /systems: #442 of 1,340
Population · PA: 635
Total EPA violations on record: 0%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)

Population ordinals match the sitemap cohort (systems serving 500+, population_served DESC). See methodology · corpus placement.

PFAS Detected

6 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Water Safety Score

56/100

Plumstead Northern System

Based on EPA SDWIS violation history and UCMR5 PFAS testing only, not water taste, odor, infrastructure age, or contaminants outside the federally tracked set.

Health-based violations A+

EPA SDWIS health-based violations on record (MCL, MRDL, treatment technique)

Monitoring & reporting violations F

635

Non-health SDWIS violations (monitoring, reporting, and other compliance)

PFAS contamination C-

0.0080 µg/L

Highest PFAS compound level detected in UCMR5 testing

System Details

System Type: Community
Owner Type: Local
Connections: 996
County: Bucks
School/Daycare: No
MCL Violations: 0
Monitoring Violations: 629
Treatment Tech Violations: 0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant	Category	Count	Latest
2,4-D	MR	22	2020
Atrazine	MR	22	2020
Coliform (TCR)	MR	17	2014
LASSO	MR	16	2020
Endrin	MR	15	2020
BHC-GAMMA	MR	15	2020
Methoxychlor	MR	15	2020
Toxaphene	MR	15	2020
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate	MR	15	2020
OXAMYL	MR	15	2020
Dinoseb	MR	15	2020
2,3,7,8-TCDD	MR	15	2020
Heptachlor epoxide	MR	15	2020
2,4,5-TP	MR	15	2020
HEXACHLOROBENZENE	MR	15	2020
Pentachlorophenol	MR	15	2020
Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)	MR	15	2020
1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE	MR	15	2020
ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE	MR	15	2020
Dalapon	MR	15	2020
Diquat	MR	15	2020
Glyphosate	MR	15	2020
Simazine	MR	15	2020
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate	MR	15	2020
Carbofuran	MR	15	2020
Heptachlor	MR	15	2020
Benzo(a)pyrene	MR	15	2020
Chlordane	MR	15	2020
Endothall	MR	15	2020
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene	MR	15	2020

Violation Count vs. the National Corpus

Plumstead Northern System has 635 recorded EPA violations, 97% of the 29,740 public water systems serving 500+ people nationwide carry fewer, and 3% carry more. 0% of this system's own violations are health-based (0 of 635), and it ranks #11,576 of 29,740 by population served among that same cohort.

EPA violations vs. the national water-system corpus

Public water systems serving 500+ people (EPA SDWIS)

635 Higher than most more violations than 97% of 29,740 water systems

the national water-system corpus, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more water systems. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source EPA SDWIS · 2026-05-15

How many violations vs. how serious, among peer systems

Plumstead Northern System plotted against 29 peer public water systems (500+ people served), by total violation count (x) and the share of those violations that are health-based (y). The crosshair sits at this sample's own median on each axis. A high violation count does not automatically mean a serious record: most monitoring and reporting violations are minor, not health-based.

30 public water systems (500+ people served), EPA SDWIS current release.

How to read this

Each dot is one public water system; the highlighted dot is Plumstead Northern System. A system to the right has more recorded violations; a system higher up has a larger share of those violations classified health-based rather than monitoring or reporting.

Rare but serious: few violations, but most of them are health-based.
Frequent, mostly paperwork: many violations, but mostly monitoring or reporting, not health-based.
Clean record: below-median on both counts, the tinted corner.

View all 30 systems as a list

City of Ballinger: 372 violations, 85% health-based
Nooksack Valley Water Association: 16 violations, 31% health-based
Montgomery Co RWD 12: 7 violations, 29% health-based
Irvin Water District #6: 11 violations, 27% health-based
Ticonderoga WD: 47 violations, 26% health-based
Pine Valley Plantation: 37 violations, 24% health-based
McLouth, City Of: 29 violations, 17% health-based
Kipling Oaks 1: 25 violations, 16% health-based
South Deerfield Water Supply District: 96 violations, 16% health-based
Sunset Ridge Water District: 82 violations, 15% health-based
Orange Water Dept: 136 violations, 14% health-based
Mount Pleasant Water Sys #1: 167 violations, 11% health-based
Lake Gibson Estates: 42 violations, 2% health-based
Benson Culinary Improvement District: 212 violations, 1% health-based
Conemaugh Twp Muni Auth: 567 violations, 1% health-based
Miccosukee Service Plaza: 0 violations, 0% health-based
Brazoria - Fort Bend Counties MUD 3: 0 violations, 0% health-based
Tanglewilde Thompson Place 600: 2 violations, 0% health-based
Center Water Co: 5 violations, 0% health-based
Spring Mills Elem School/Hvs: 9 violations, 0% health-based
Great Bend Industrial Park: 14 violations, 0% health-based
Glen Park Village: 19 violations, 0% health-based
Camp Is-Sho-Da: 22 violations, 0% health-based
Hamilton: 33 violations, 0% health-based
Town of Welaka: 54 violations, 0% health-based
Township of Blairstown Dpw: 61 violations, 0% health-based
McIntosh Water & Fire Pro Authority: 71 violations, 0% health-based
Clarkdale Municipal Water System: 114 violations, 0% health-based
Eureka Water Association: 273 violations, 0% health-based
Plumstead Northern System: 635 violations, 0% health-based (this system)

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 23 of 232 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant	Date	Result	MRL	Status
PFNA	7/22/2025	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHpS	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFBS	7/22/2025	8.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Detected
PFHpA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHxS	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFOS	7/22/2025	7.40 ppt	4.00 ppt	Detected
PFOA	7/22/2025	7.50 ppt	4.00 ppt	Detected
PFDA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFDoA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHxA	7/22/2025	3.80 ppt	3.00 ppt	Detected
PFPeS	7/22/2025	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
4:2 FTS	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
NEtFOSAA	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
NFDHA	7/22/2025	<20.00 ppt	20.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFMPA	7/22/2025	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFTrDA	7/22/2025	<7.00 ppt	7.00 ppt	Not Detected
NMeFOSAA	7/22/2025	<6.00 ppt	6.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFUnA	7/22/2025	<2.00 ppt	2.00 ppt	Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS	7/22/2025	<2.00 ppt	2.00 ppt	Not Detected
ADONA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFMBA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFEESA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
HFPO-DA	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFPeA	7/22/2025	4.30 ppt	3.00 ppt	Detected
PFTA	7/22/2025	<8.00 ppt	8.00 ppt	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFBA	7/22/2025	5.20 ppt	5.00 ppt	Detected
8:2 FTS	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS	7/22/2025	<2.00 ppt	2.00 ppt	Not Detected
ADONA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
HFPO-DA	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFBA	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
4:2 FTS	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
NFDHA	7/22/2025	<20.00 ppt	20.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFPeA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
8:2 FTS	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFMPA	7/22/2025	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFUnA	7/22/2025	<2.00 ppt	2.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFMBA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFEESA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFTrDA	7/22/2025	<7.00 ppt	7.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFPeS	7/22/2025	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
NMeFOSAA	7/22/2025	<6.00 ppt	6.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHxA	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
NEtFOSAA	7/22/2025	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHpS	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFBS	7/22/2025	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected

Health-based violations on Plumstead Northern System

0 health-based rows in the tables above map to MCL or treatment-technique exceedances, verify each contaminant code on the federal SDWIS report for PA1090144.

EPA SDWIS · PWS PA1090144 PA primacy agency

Sources: EPA SDWIS · Pennsylvania DEP, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water

Nationwide peers

635 violations · 2,605 served: nearest cross-state SDWIS matches.

Cross-state systems with comparable violation load

Nearest cross-state community systems (500+ served) by total SDWIS violations on record.

4 peers

Cross-state systems near this population served

Nearest cross-state systems by EPA SDWIS population_served (same 500+ sitemap gate).

4 peers

What to do with Plumstead Northern System

Use this system's EPA-reported record as a starting filter, not a final verdict.

See how every tracked system in Pennsylvania compares on the same EPA violation measures. Pennsylvania systems
Check whether PFAS was detected at this system under UCMR5 testing. PFAS guide
Find and compare another public water system by name or PWSID. Search systems

EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 figures are informational only, not a substitute for a certified lab test of your own tap water.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater

Compiled by PlainWater, Drinking Water Quality Editorial Process · May 15, 2026

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.