WaterVerge

Is Duncansville, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D, with 18 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

5K residents served 3 water systems PWSID: PA4070011
Overall Score
48 / 100
Violations
18 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#348 of 560 in Pennsylvania Top 86% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
DGRADE
Water Quality Grade
48/100
waterverge.com
D 48/100

Duncansville, PA — Water Quality Report

Duncansville's drinking water received a grade of D (48 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 4,944 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 194 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 18 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Duncansville's water

Duncansville ranks #348 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

The system has seen 36 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
48 out of 100 Grade D
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
19/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Duncansville, PA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Duncansville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (48/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 4,944 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

18
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Duncansville

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Duncansville's water quality assessment. Grade: D (48/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
20 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Endothall, Glyphosate, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3356). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3340). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Duncansville's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Duncansville's water system has 194 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 18 remain unresolved. 36 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRRPTTT
Most recent violations:
Jan 2026 Public Notice Open
Oct 2025 Public Notice Open
Oct 2025 Public Notice Open
Jan 2025 Endothall Resolved
Jan 2025 Glyphosate Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Blair County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3356
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA DR-3340
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3235

Where does Duncansville's water come from?

Duncansville's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 4,944 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Duncansville residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Duncansville's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Duncansville's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

194
Total violations
5
Health-based
18
Active / unresolved
Jan 2026
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

194 Total
18 Active
5 Health-based
176 Resolved
6 SNC
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
61
Volatile Organic Chemicals
40
Ground Water Rule
19
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
18
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
9
Jan 2026 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2019 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2019 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2019 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2019 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2017 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Apr 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Apr 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Apr 2013 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2025 Resolved
Endothall
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2025
Jan 2025 Resolved
Glyphosate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2025
Showing 20 of 194 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Duncansville

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Duncansville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 50 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
ST PRODUCTS LLC (DBA WIELAND SMALL TUBE PRODUCTS)
Primary Metals · WIELAND HOLDINGS INC
DUNCANSVILLE, PA16635
Copper460.9 mi
ALPHA ASSEMBLY SOLUTIONS
Primary Metals · ELEMENT SOLUTIONS INC
ALTOONA, PA16602
Lead compounds44.2 mi
AMERWAY INC
Primary Metals · NA
ALTOONA, PA16601
4.4 mi
SYNTHEX ORGANICS LLC
Chemicals · CHEMSTREAM HOLDINGS INC
ALTOONA, PA16601
4.0 mi
VEEDER-ROOT CO
Computers and Electronic Products · VONTIER CORP
DUNCANSVILLE, PA16635
1.7 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Duncansville

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Oct 2012
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Blair County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #3356
Sep 2011
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA #3340
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA #3235
Sep 2004
TROPICAL DEPRESSION IVAN
Hurricane FEMA #1557
Jul 1996
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA #1130
Jan 1996
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1093

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 1.7 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 1996 (4.7 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
4,944
Water Systems
3
Source breakdown
Groundwater
2
Purchased Surface Water
1
Water Source

Where Duncansville's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Duncansville's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 4,944 people through 3 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Duncansville

System Name PWSID Population Source
BLAIR TWP WATER & SEWER AUTH PA4070011 2,550 SWP
DUNCANSVILLE MUNI WATER AUTH PA4070012 2,350 GW
BEL AIR PARK APTS PA4070060 44 GW
Regional Comparison

How Duncansville compares

Full Pennsylvania rankings →

Duncansville's score of 48/100 is on par with the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Duncansville (this city)
48
Bryn Mawr
34.2
Mcmurray
86.8
Greensburg
46.7
Pennsylvania avg
49
City Profile

About Duncansville, PA

Economic Profile
$60,972
Median Income
$128,756
Median Home Value
$785/mo
Median Rent
9.8%
Unemployment
Community
45.3
Median Age
844
People / sq mi
18.7%
College Educated
57.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Duncansville, PA tap water safe to drink?

Duncansville's water quality earned a grade of D (48/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #348 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.

What contaminants are in Duncansville's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 194 violations are on record.

How is Duncansville's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Duncansville?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Duncansville's water come from?

Duncansville's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 4,944 residents.

What health violations has Duncansville's water system had?

Duncansville has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2026. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 18 violations remain unresolved.

How does Duncansville's water compare to other cities?

Duncansville ranks #348 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 38% of state cities) and #13514 out of 15744 cities nationally (14th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.