Water Quality: Bethlehem, PA
13 water systems • 124,424 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Bethlehem is served by 13 public water systems with a combined service population of 124,424 people, and has 1,231 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 9 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Bethlehem's violation count is 353% above the national average for Pennsylvania. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, E. coli, Selenium.
Contaminants Found
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
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)
Hair loss, nail brittleness, and nervous system damage at elevated concentrations.
Common source: Natural geological deposits, mining discharges, oil refinery waste
EPA limit: 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Bethlehem
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF BETHLEHEM | PA3480046 | Surface Water | 117,259 | 112 |
| LOWER SAUCON AUTHORITY | PA3480027 | Surface Water | 5,700 | 12 |
| BETH 512 SYSTEM | PA3480814 | Groundwater | 725 | 3 |
| POCONO MOBILE HOME ESTATES | PA2450028 | Groundwater | 129 | 27 |
| CENTRE COUNTY MHC LLC | PA4140043 | Groundwater | 100 | 306 |
| BETH WIL MAR MANOR | PA3480079 | Groundwater | 90 | 10 |
| BETH COUNTRY SQUIRE ESTATES | PA3480056 | Groundwater | 87 | 12 |
| LYNWOOD ACRES MOBILE HOME PARK | PA2450084 | Groundwater | 77 | 18 |
| WINDSOR MOBILEHOME PARK | PA6250021 | Groundwater | 70 | 56 |
| BETH SHADY LANE SYSTEM | PA3480022 | Groundwater | 61 | 9 |
| PENNWOOD ESTATES MHP | PA6430021 | Groundwater | 51 | 463 |
| HEMLOCK VILLAGE | PA6430072 | Groundwater | 45 | 190 |
| KELLOWS MOBILE HOME PARK | PA3480041 | Groundwater | 30 | 13 |
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
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.