WaterVerge

Is New Milford, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D, with 37 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 3 water systems PWSID: PA2580019
Overall Score
49 / 100
Violations
37 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#336 of 560 in Pennsylvania Top 85% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
DGRADE
Water Quality Grade
49/100
waterverge.com
D 49/100

New Milford, PA — Water Quality Report

New Milford's drinking water received a grade of D (49 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,146 residents using groundwater.

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 205 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 37 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about New Milford's water

New Milford ranks #336 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

New Milford 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, New Milford may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 37 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
49 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
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is New Milford, PA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

New Milford's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (49/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,146 residents using groundwater (wells).

37
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for New Milford

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Milford's water quality assessment. Grade: D (49/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Violation
7 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Groundwater Rule, Consumer Confidence Rule, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM, Consumer Confidence Rule.

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 New Milford's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

New Milford's water system has 205 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 37 remain unresolved. 37 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherTTRPT
Most recent violations:
Nov 2025 Groundwater Rule Resolved
Oct 2025 Groundwater Rule Resolved
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2025 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Susquehanna County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1975. 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
TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA DR-4030
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA DR-3340

Where does New Milford's water come from?

New Milford's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 1,146 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What New Milford residents can do

Install a water filter

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

New Milford'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

205
Total violations
3
Health-based
37
Active / unresolved
Nov 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

205 Total
37 Active
3 Health-based
168 Resolved
5 SNC
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
58
Consumer Confidence Rule
25
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
24
Inorganic Chemicals
19
Ground Water Rule
18
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Feb 2020 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 205 violations
Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of New Milford

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

10
Declared disasters
Oct 2012
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Susquehanna County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1975. 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 2011
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #4025
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA #3235
Sep 2004
TROPICAL DEPRESSION IVAN
Hurricane FEMA #1557

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 decreased by 0.0 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 1996 (3.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,146
Water Systems
3
Water Source

Where New Milford's water comes from

Groundwater

New Milford's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

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 1,146 people through 3 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving New Milford

System Name PWSID Population Source
NEW MILFORD MUNICIPAL AUTH PA2580019 979 GW
OAKLAND TRAILER PARK PA2580035 90 GW
WEIDAS MOBILE HOME PARK PA2580021 77 GW
Regional Comparison

How New Milford compares

Full Pennsylvania rankings →

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

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

About New Milford, PA

Wikipedia →

New Milford is a borough in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 817 at the 2020 census. Children living in New Milford are served by the schools in the Blue Ridge School District, including Blue Ridge High School.

Economic Profile
$66,364
Median Income
$194,548
Median Home Value
$865/mo
Median Rent
3.2%
Unemployment
Community
49.5
Median Age
15
People / sq mi
17.2%
College Educated
77.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is New Milford, PA tap water safe to drink?

New Milford's water quality earned a grade of D (49/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #336 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.

What contaminants are in New Milford's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 205 violations are on record.

How is New Milford'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 New Milford?

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

Where does New Milford's water come from?

New Milford's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 1,146 residents.

What health violations has New Milford's water system had?

New Milford has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 37 violations remain unresolved.

Is New Milford's groundwater at risk of contamination?

New Milford 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 205 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 New Milford's water compare to other cities?

New Milford ranks #336 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 40% of state cities) and #13368 out of 15744 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.