Water Quality: Allentown, PA

18 water systems • 198,541 people served

Multiple Health Violations
403
Total Violations
6
Health-Based Violations
18
Water Systems
198,541
Population Served

Water Quality Summary

Allentown is served by 18 public water systems with a combined service population of 198,541 people, and has 403 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 6 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Allentown's violation count is 48% above the national average for Pennsylvania. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, E. coli, Endrin, Fecal Coliform.

Contaminants Found

Chlorine Dioxide

Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.

Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms

EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L

E. coli

Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.

Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply

EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)

Endrin
Fecal Coliform

Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.

Common source: Human and animal fecal waste

EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)

Water Systems Serving Allentown

System Name PWSID Source Population Violations
LCA ALLENTOWN DIVISION PA3390024 Surface Water 118,000 13
LCA WLSA CENTRAL DIVISION PA3390073 Surface Water 47,693 36
SWT MAIN SYSTEM PA3390065 Surface Water 14,500 18
SALISBURY TWP WATER SYSTEM PA3390062 Surface Water 8,522 3
LCA NORTH WHITEHALL DIVISION PA3390055 Surface Water 2,910 6
LCA ARCADIA WEST DIVISION PA3391001 Groundwater 1,392 26
SWT ALLENTOWN CONS SYSTEM PA3390087 Surface Water 1,300 2
LCA EMMAUS CONSECUTIVE DIV PA3390075 Groundwater 1,046 0
LCA WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP DIV PA3390078 Surface Water 965 12
HANOVER TOWNSHIP LEHIGH COUNTY PA3390097 Surface Water 520 3
LCA HEIDELBERG HEIGHTS DIV PA3390047 Groundwater 509 13
LCA MADISON NORTH DIVISION PA3390115 Groundwater 290 0
LCA UPPER MILFORD CENTRAL DIV PA3390076 Groundwater 256 5
LCA CLEARVIEW FARM ESTATES DIV PA3480028 Groundwater 170 0
LCA PINE LAKES DIVISION PA3390085 Groundwater 158 5
LCA BEVERLY HILLS DIVISION PA3390035 Groundwater 122 1
GILLETT MHC PA2080025 Surface Water 100 255
LCA MILL CREEK DIVISION PA3390080 Groundwater 88 5

Concerned About Your Water?

A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.

Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.

Other Cities in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia 11 violations • 1,600,000 served Bryn Mawr 480 violations • 1,057,337 served Pittsburgh 612 violations • 801,168 served Mcmurray 5 violations • 686,000 served Greensburg 176 violations • 311,784 served Harrisburg 489 violations • 248,203 served Erie 889 violations • 234,255 served York 387 violations • 222,980 served

View all cities in Pennsylvania →

Data Sources

Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.

Verify at epa.gov • Search ECHO for PA