Is Columbia Water Co water safe to drink?

Columbia Water Co (PWS ID: PA7360123) has 199 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. No PFAS contamination was detected in UCMR5 testing. EPA SDWIS lists this system's service population as 25,200 people using Surface Water sources.

How many people does Columbia Water Co serve?

EPA SDWIS reports that Columbia Water Co serves 25,200 people (this public water system's service population, not the municipal population of Columbia or any other city). It is a Private-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 10,648 service connections. The operator address is listed in Columbia, Pennsylvania.

What type of violations does Columbia Water Co have?

Columbia Water Co has 199 total violations: 29 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 151 monitoring/reporting violations, and 24 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.

Has PFAS been detected in Columbia Water Co water?

No. Columbia Water Co was tested for PFAS under the EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program and no PFAS contamination was detected.

What water source does Columbia Water Co use?

Columbia Water Co uses Surface Water 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 Columbia Water Co sit among U.S. public water systems?

According to EPA SDWIS population_served among sitemap-advertised systems (serving 500+), Columbia Water Co ranks #2,200 of 29,740 by people served, and #80 of 1,340 in Pennsylvania. Ordinals use population_served DESC among systems serving 500+ (the sitemap cohort). See /methodology#corpus-placement.

How does Columbia Water Co's violation count compare nationally?

Columbia Water Co has 199 recorded EPA SDWIS violations, fewer than 15% of the 29,740 public water systems serving 500 or more people nationwide (the same sitemap cohort used for the corpus-placement ranking above). 85% of that cohort has fewer violations than Columbia Water Co. 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 PA7360123

Columbia Water Co

Operator location Columbia, Pennsylvania - larger served population (> 3,309) at 25,200 people served; 199 SDWIS violations on record from surface water sources.

Compiled by PlainWater · May 15, 2026

25,200
People served (this PWS) Larger third of systems: 199
EPA violations (this PWS) Upper third of systems: 29
Health-based (this PWS) Middle third by health-based share: No PFAS
UCMR5 (this PWS) Tested, none detected

Follow published updates (RSS)

Columbia Water Co standing, high SDWIS violation third

25,200 people served (SDWIS) - larger served population (> 3,309). Corpus terciles use 29,740 systems serving 500+ (the sitemap cohort). Health-based share 15% is middle-third health share (≤ 23%). UCMR5: UCMR5 tested, none detected. Population rank #2,200 of 29,740 among systems serving 500+.

The verdict

Columbia Water Co sits in the upper third of the sitemap cohort by violation count (199), so the tables below sample a dense compliance trail rather than a near-clean ledger. Population served is large (25,200; larger served population (> 3,309)), so household exposure scale sits behind the violation mix. Health-based share is 15% (middle-third health share (≤ 23%)). UCMR5 tested this system and reported no PFAS above the minimum reporting level.

#2,200 of 29,740
Population · /systems: #80 of 1,340
Population · PA: 199
Total EPA violations on record: 15%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)

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

Water Safety Score

6/100

Columbia Water Co

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 F

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

Monitoring & reporting violations F

170

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

PFAS contamination N/A

Tested, none detected

Highest PFAS compound level detected in UCMR5 testing

System Details

System Type: Community
Owner Type: Private
Connections: 10,648
County: Lancaster
School/Daycare: No
MCL Violations: 5
Monitoring Violations: 151
Treatment Tech Violations: 24

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant	Category	Count	Latest
CARBON, TOTAL	MR	19	2018
CARBON, TOTAL	TT	12	2019
Surface Water Treatment Rule	MR	7	2017
Nitrate	MR	7	1993
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule	TT	7	2011
Consumer Confidence Rule	Other	5	2013
Surface Water Treatment Rule	TT	5	1992
Coliform (TCR)	MCL	5	2008
Endrin	MR	4	2014
Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)	MR	4	2017
Toxaphene	MR	3	2014
Mercury	MR	3	1993
Chromium	MR	3	1993
Fluoride	MR	3	1993
Arsenic	MR	3	1993
1,1,1-Trichloroethane	MR	3	1991
Carbon tetrachloride	MR	3	1991
Benzene	MR	3	1991
p-Dichlorobenzene	MR	3	1991
1,1-Dichloroethylene	MR	3	1991
1,2-Dichloroethane	MR	3	1991
Trichloroethylene	MR	3	1991
Methoxychlor	MR	3	2014
2,4,5-TP	MR	3	2014
Cadmium	MR	3	1993
Selenium	MR	3	1993
Barium	MR	3	1993
2,4-D	MR	3	2014
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate	MR	2	2014
Simazine	MR	2	2014

Violation Count vs. the National Corpus

Columbia Water Co has 199 recorded EPA violations, 85% of the 29,740 public water systems serving 500+ people nationwide carry fewer, and 15% carry more. 15% of this system's own violations are health-based (29 of 199), and it ranks #2,200 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)

199 Higher than most more violations than 85% 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

Columbia Water Co 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 Columbia Water Co. 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
Columbia Water Co: 199 violations, 15% health-based (this system)
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

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 0 of 232 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant	Date	Result	MRL	Status
4:2 FTS	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFBA	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFOS	7/6/2023	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFNA	7/6/2023	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHpA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
8:2 FTS	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHxS	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFMPA	7/6/2023	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFPeA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFMBA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFEESA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHpS	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFBS	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
NFDHA	7/6/2023	<20.00 ppt	20.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFPeS	7/6/2023	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFOA	7/6/2023	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
HFPO-DA	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFDA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFDoA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHxA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFUnA	7/6/2023	<2.00 ppt	2.00 ppt	Not Detected
ADONA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS	7/6/2023	<2.00 ppt	2.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFMPA	7/6/2023	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFUnA	7/6/2023	<2.00 ppt	2.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHxA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFDoA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFBA	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFOS	7/6/2023	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFBS	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
4:2 FTS	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFOA	7/6/2023	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFNA	7/6/2023	<4.00 ppt	4.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHpA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFHxS	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFPeA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFDA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFTA	7/6/2023	<8.00 ppt	8.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFTrDA	7/6/2023	<7.00 ppt	7.00 ppt	Not Detected
NEtFOSAA	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
NMeFOSAA	7/6/2023	<6.00 ppt	6.00 ppt	Not Detected
HFPO-DA	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
8:2 FTS	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected
PFMBA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
ADONA	7/6/2023	<3.00 ppt	3.00 ppt	Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS	7/6/2023	<2.00 ppt	2.00 ppt	Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS	7/6/2023	<5.00 ppt	5.00 ppt	Not Detected

Population served record for Columbia Water Co

EPA SDWIS lists 25,200 people served and 10,648 connections for this PWS, confirm the service-area footprint on the federal report before comparing to municipal census totals.

EPA SDWIS · PWS PA7360123 PA primacy agency

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

Nationwide peers

199 violations · 25,200 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 with similar served population

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

4 peers

What to do with Columbia Water Co

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.