Is Evans City, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded C- — but Lead was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
58.4/100
waterverge.com Evans City, PA — Water Quality Report
Evans City's drinking water received a grade of C- (58.4 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,990 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 17.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 266 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.
What to know about Evans City's water
Evans City ranks #275 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it mid-range 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.
Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water.
As a small community water system, Evans City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 7 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Evans City, PA water safe to drink?
Evans City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (58.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,990 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Evans City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Evans City's water quality assessment. Grade: C- (58.4/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3356). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3235). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Evans City's water supply.
Exceeds EPA action level. Lead service line replacement and point-of-use filtration recommended.
Violation history
Evans City's water system has 266 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved. 7 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Butler County has experienced 6 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.
Where does Evans City's water come from?
Evans City's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,990 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Evans City residents can do
Recommended: NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Evans City's water.
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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Evans City'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Evans City
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Evans City, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 1,857 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS STEEL CORP /BUTLER WORKS BUTLER, PA16001 | Manganese compounds | 1,853 | 8.2 mi |
BERRY METAL CO HARMONY, PA16037 | Copper | 3 | 2.9 mi |
VORTEQ VALENCIA LLC VALENCIA, PA16059 | Chromium and Chromium Compounds(except for chromite ore mined in the Transvaal Region) | 1 | 7.4 mi |
ETC NORTHEAST FLD SVC LLC/PIKE COMP STA ROCHESTER, PA15074 | — | — | 5.9 mi |
GATAN INC WARRENDALE, PA15086 | — | — | 6.7 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Butler County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Evans City's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 17.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Evans City compares by contaminant
Explore where Evans City ranks among all Pennsylvania cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Evans City's water comes from
Evans City'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 1,990 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Evans City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVANS CITY BOROUGH | PA5100033 | 1,990 | SWP |
How Evans City compares
Full Pennsylvania rankings →Evans City's score of 58.4/100 is above the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Pennsylvania rankings →About Evans City, PA
Wikipedia →Evans City is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, Evans City had a population of 1,737.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Evans City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Butler
Frequently asked questions
Is Evans City, PA tap water safe to drink?
Evans City's water quality earned a grade of C- (58.4/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #275 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in Evans City's water?
Lead was measured at 17.0 ppb (90th percentile). 266 violations are on record.
How is Evans City'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 Evans City?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Evans City's water come from?
Evans City's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,990 residents.
What health violations has Evans City's water system had?
Evans City has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 10 violations remain unresolved.
How does Evans City's water compare to other cities?
Evans City ranks #275 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 51% of state cities) and #12285 out of 15744 cities nationally (22th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Evans City's small water system affect quality?
Evans City's system serves approximately 1,990 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 266 violations on record.