01The verdict: is Mill Creek water safe?
Mill Creek's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,108 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.46 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Top half in Pennsylvania
Mill Creek ranks #147 of 559 graded Pennsylvania cities.
See the comparison ↓4 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 ↓Mill Creek's drinking water received a grade of B- (74.7 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,108 residents using groundwater.
Lead data is not currently available for this system. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 151 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved.
Mill Creek ranks #147 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Mill Creek 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, Mill Creek may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Mill Creek's water
Every contaminant flagged in Mill Creek, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.46 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
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
03Mill Creek'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 151 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved.
4 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 0.15 mg/L since 2013. The latest reading (1.5 mg/L, 2015) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Mill Creek's water comes from
Mill Creek's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
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.
1,108 people
Residents served across Mill Creek'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 1,108 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MILL CREEK AREA MUN AUTH | PA4310050 | 1,108 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Mill Creek
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Mill Creek'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.
Industrial discharge
2 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Huntingdon County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Huntingdon County is in D1 (moderate 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 Mill Creek compares
Scores for nearby Pennsylvania cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Pennsylvania average (49/100)
Mill Creek scores 74.7/100 — above the Pennsylvania average of 49/100. It outscores 8 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 Mill Creek's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Mill Creek alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Mill Creek, PA tap water safe to drink?
Mill Creek's water quality earned a grade of B- (74.7/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #147 out of 559 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in Mill Creek's water?
151 violations are on record.
How is Mill Creek'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 Mill Creek?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Mill Creek's water come from?
Mill Creek's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,108 residents.
Is Mill Creek's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Mill Creek 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 151 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 Mill Creek's water compare to other cities?
Mill Creek ranks #147 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 74% of state cities) and #9657 out of 15382 cities nationally (37th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Mill Creek's small water system affect quality?
Mill Creek's system serves approximately 1,108 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 151 violations on record.