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Community Water System · PWS PA3390044

Catasauqua Mun Water Works

Catasauqua, Pennsylvania 18032 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 6,598 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

6,598
People served
121
EPA violations
8
Health-based
2 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 121 drinking-water violations at Catasauqua Mun Water Works, 7% of them health-based - below the Pennsylvania per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds.

121
Total EPA violations on record
7%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
6,598
People served by this system
2
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Catasauqua Mun Water Works

Catasauqua Mun Water Works is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 6,598 residents in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania (Lehigh County) through 2,313 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 121 total violations for this system , of which 8 (7%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 95 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2025.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Consumer Confidence Rule, recorded in 18 violations (Other). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 2 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 4.2 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Pennsylvania, EPA tracks 7,701 public water systems serving 12,630,061 people, with 1,159,868 cumulative violations and 68,517 health-based violations on record. About 97% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 150.6 violations. Statewide, 224 of 389 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (57.6%).

Catasauqua Mun Water Works's 121 violations sit below the Pennsylvania average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

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

Population Served
6,598
Total Violations
121
Health-Based Violations
8
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
2,313
County
Lehigh
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
8
Monitoring Violations
95
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 18 2025
Groundwater Rule MR 13 2025
Nitrate MR 8 2023
Nitrite MR 8 2023
Coliform (TCR) MCL 8 1993
Endothall MR 5 2017
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate MR 3 2011
Benzo(a)pyrene MR 3 2011
OXAMYL MR 3 2014
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate MR 3 2011
Carbofuran MR 3 2014
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 2 2014
Xylenes, Total MR 2 2014
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 2 2014
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 2 2014
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 2 2014
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 2 2014
Carbon tetrachloride MR 2 2014
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 2 2014
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 2 2014
Tetrachloroethylene MR 2 2014
Benzene MR 2 2014
Toluene MR 2 2014
Styrene MR 2 2014
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 2 2014
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 2 2014
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 2 2014
Trichloroethylene MR 2 2014
Ethylbenzene MR 2 2014
Chlorine MR 2 2006

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 3 of 58 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
6:2 FTS 6/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 6/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 6/12/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 6/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 6/12/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 6/12/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 6/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 6/12/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 6/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 6/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 6/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 6/12/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 6/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 6/12/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 6/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 6/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 6/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 6/12/2023 3.50 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFHpA 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 6/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 12/11/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 12/11/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 12/11/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 12/11/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 12/11/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 12/11/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 12/11/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 12/11/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 12/11/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 12/11/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 12/11/2023 3.10 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
4:2 FTS 12/11/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 12/11/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 12/11/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 12/11/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 12/11/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 12/11/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 12/11/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 12/11/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 12/11/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 12/11/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Catasauqua Mun Water Works.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID PA3390044 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Pennsylvania Drinking Water Authority

Pennsylvania DEP, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Catasauqua Mun Water Works under EPA-delegated authority.

Open PA regulator portal

Source: Pennsylvania DEP, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 18 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 7000
2025 Groundwater Rule MR 13 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 0700
2023 Nitrate MR 8 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 1040
2023 Nitrite MR 8 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 1041
2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 2 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 8000
2017 Endothall MR 5 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2033
2014 OXAMYL MR 3 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2036
2014 Carbofuran MR 3 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2046
2014 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 2 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2378
2014 Xylenes, Total MR 2 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2955
2014 o-Dichlorobenzene MR 2 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2968
2014 p-Dichlorobenzene MR 2 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2969
2014 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 2 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2977
2014 1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 2 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2981
2014 Carbon tetrachloride MR 2 SDWIS / PA3390044 / 2982

How Catasauqua Mun Water Works Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Catasauqua Mun Water Works Pennsylvania avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 121 150.6 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 8 8.9 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 2 compounds 57.6% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 6,598 1,640 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 7,701 regulated public water systems in Pennsylvania.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Catasauqua Mun Water Works water safe to drink? ▼
Catasauqua Mun Water Works (PWS ID: PA3390044) has 121 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 2 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 6,598 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Catasauqua Mun Water Works serve? ▼
Catasauqua Mun Water Works serves 6,598 people in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 2,313 service connections.
What type of violations does Catasauqua Mun Water Works have? ▼
Catasauqua Mun Water Works has 121 total violations: 8 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 95 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Catasauqua Mun Water Works water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds in Catasauqua Mun Water Works's water supply: PFHxS, PFBS. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Catasauqua Mun Water Works use? ▼
Catasauqua Mun Water Works 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.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

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

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