Water Quality: Reading, PA
10 water systems • 174,731 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Reading is served by 10 public water systems with a combined service population of 174,731 people, and has 377 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 16 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Reading's violation count is 39% above the national average for Pennsylvania. Contaminants associated with violations include Bromate, E. coli, Fecal Coliform.
Contaminants Found
Probable human carcinogen that increases the risk of kidney and thyroid cancers.
Common source: Ozonation of bromide-containing water; used as flour improver
EPA limit: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)
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)
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 Reading
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| READING AREA WATER AUTHORITY | PA3060059 | Surface Water | 95,100 | 19 |
| PAW PENN DISTRICT | PA3060069 | Groundwater | 28,508 | 0 |
| MUHLENBERG TWP MUNI AUTH | PA3060038 | Groundwater | 21,000 | 237 |
| SHILLINGTON MUNI AUTH | PA3060067 | Surface Water | 13,300 | 30 |
| MT PENN BORO MUNI AUTH | PA3060082 | Groundwater | 10,400 | 14 |
| ONTELAUNEE TOWNSHIP | PA3060098 | Surface Water | 2,598 | 36 |
| BERN TWP MUNI AUTH | PA3060045 | Surface Water | 1,800 | 6 |
| RAWA NORTH HEIDELBERG | PA3060115 | Groundwater | 1,350 | 10 |
| WBWA MOHRSVILLE DISTRICT | PA3060087 | Groundwater | 375 | 10 |
| WILL O HILL APTS | PA3060036 | Groundwater | 300 | 15 |
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.