WaterVerge

Is Middleburg, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded C+, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: PA4550016
Overall Score
68.6 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Surface water
#201 of 560 in Pennsylvania Top 70% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
C+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
68.6/100
waterverge.com
C+ 68.6/100

Middleburg, PA — Water Quality Report

Middleburg's drinking water received a grade of C+ (68.6 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,600 residents using surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 3.0 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 233 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Middleburg's water

Middleburg ranks #201 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.

As a small community water system, Middleburg may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 26 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
68.6 out of 100 Grade C+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
18.6/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
19/20
A
Lead at 3.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Surface water.
Water Safety

Is Middleburg, PA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Middleburg's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (68.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,600 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

5
Active Violations
3.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Middleburg

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Middleburg's water quality assessment. Grade: C+ (68.6/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: CARBON, TOTAL.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

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

Disaster
TROPICAL STORM LEE

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4030). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Middleburg's water system has 233 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 26 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MONMROtherTT
Most recent violations:
Aug 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Apr 2023 TTHM Resolved
Apr 2023 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Apr 2022 CARBON, TOTAL Resolved
Jan 2022 CARBON, TOTAL Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Snyder County has experienced 10 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. Local water sources include Penns Creek At Penns Creek.

HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3356
TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA DR-4030
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA DR-3340

Where does Middleburg's water come from?

Middleburg's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,600 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Penns Creek At Penns Creek (river).

What Middleburg residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Middleburg'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
3.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 20% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

233
Total violations
5
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Aug 2023
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

233 Total
5 Active
5 Health-based
228 Resolved
5 SNC
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
125
Inorganic Chemicals
27
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
26
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
15
Surface Water Treatment Rule
15
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Apr 2016 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
May 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Aug 2023 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Aug 2023
Apr 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2023
Apr 2023 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2023
Apr 2022 Resolved
CARBON, TOTAL
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
CARBON, TOTAL
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2022
Jan 2021 Resolved
DICHLOROMETHANE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jan 2021 Resolved
o-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jan 2021 Resolved
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jan 2021 Resolved
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jan 2021 Resolved
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jan 2021 Resolved
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jan 2021 Resolved
1,2-Dichloropropane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jan 2021 Resolved
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jan 2021 Resolved
Benzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jan 2021 Resolved
Toluene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Showing 20 of 233 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Middleburg

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
WOOD-MODE LLC
Furniture · NA
KREAMER, PA17833
4.4 mi
KERRICO CORP
Plastics and Rubber · NA
SELINSGROVE, PA17870
7.3 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Oct 2012
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Snyder County has experienced 10 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
TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA #4030
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
Sep 1999
TROPICAL DEPRESSION DENNIS PA
Flood FEMA #1298

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 3.0 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 2.0 ppb from 1994 (1.0 ppb) to 1996 (3.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,600
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Middleburg's water comes from

Surface Water

Middleburg'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 1,600 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Middleburg

Middleburg is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Penns Creek At Penns Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Middleburg

System Name PWSID Population Source
MIDDLEBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY PA4550016 1,600 SW
Regional Comparison

How Middleburg compares

Full Pennsylvania rankings →

Middleburg's score of 68.6/100 is above the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Middleburg (this city)
68.6
Bryn Mawr
34.2
Mcmurray
86.8
Greensburg
46.7
Pennsylvania avg
49
City Profile

About Middleburg, PA

Wikipedia →

Middleburg is a borough in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located in Central Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River Valley, the borough's population was 1,325 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Snyder County. Middleburg is part of the Selinsgrove, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, and is also part of the larger Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area.

Economic Profile
$56,339
Median Income
$156,202
Median Home Value
$836/mo
Median Rent
2.6%
Unemployment
Community
39.1
Median Age
581
People / sq mi
25.3%
College Educated
61.4%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Middleburg, PA tap water safe to drink?

Middleburg's water quality earned a grade of C+ (68.6/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #201 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.

What contaminants are in Middleburg's water?

Lead was measured at 3.0 ppb (90th percentile). 233 violations are on record.

How is Middleburg'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 Middleburg?

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

Where does Middleburg's water come from?

Middleburg's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,600 residents.

What health violations has Middleburg's water system had?

Middleburg has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.

How does Middleburg's water compare to other cities?

Middleburg ranks #201 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 64% of state cities) and #11052 out of 15744 cities nationally (30th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Middleburg's small water system affect quality?

Middleburg's system serves approximately 1,600 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 233 violations on record.