01The verdict: is Mc Connellsburg water safe?
Mc Connellsburg's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (42.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,000 residents using groundwater (wells).
206 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 5.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓67 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Mc Connellsburg's drinking water received a grade of F (42.5 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,000 residents using ground water under influence.
Lead levels were measured at 5.0 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 965 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 206 remain unresolved.
Mc Connellsburg ranks #421 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Mc Connellsburg relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. As a small community water system, Mc Connellsburg may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 67 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Mc Connellsburg's water
Every contaminant flagged in Mc Connellsburg, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 5.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Pennsylvania
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Pennsylvania
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Mc Connellsburg's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 965 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 206 remain unresolved.
2 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 25 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 5 ppb (1996) — 33% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Mc Connellsburg's water comes from
Mc Connellsburg's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Ground Water Under Influence
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,000 people
Residents served across Mc Connellsburg's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,000 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCCONNELLSBURG BORO MUNI AUTH | PA4290005 | 2,000 | Ground Water Under Influence |
05Pressure on Mc Connellsburg's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Drought
Fulton County is in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Mc Connellsburg compares
Scores for nearby Pennsylvania cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Pennsylvania average (49/100)
Mc Connellsburg scores 42.5/100 — below the Pennsylvania average of 49/100. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. Full Pennsylvania rankings →
79.8 / 100FBryn Mawr, PA
34.2 / 100FPittsburgh, PA
44 / 100AMcmurray, PA
86.8 / 100DGreensburg, PA
46.7 / 100FHarrisburg, PA
35.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Mc Connellsburg's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Mc Connellsburg's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Mc Connellsburg alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Mc Connellsburg, PA tap water safe to drink?
Mc Connellsburg's water quality earned a grade of F (42.5/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #421 out of 559 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in Mc Connellsburg's water?
Lead was measured at 5.0 ppb (90th percentile). 965 violations are on record.
How is Mc Connellsburg'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 Mc Connellsburg?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Mc Connellsburg's water come from?
Mc Connellsburg's water is sourced from Ground water under influence. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,000 residents.
Is Mc Connellsburg's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Mc Connellsburg uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 965 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Mc Connellsburg's water compare to other cities?
Mc Connellsburg ranks #421 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 25% of state cities) and #14487 out of 15382 cities nationally (6th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Mc Connellsburg's small water system affect quality?
Mc Connellsburg's system serves approximately 2,000 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 965 violations on record.