WaterVerge

Is Oakmont, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

40K residents served 1 water system PWSID: PA5020036
Overall Score
90 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Surface water
#8 of 560 in Pennsylvania Top 16% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90/100
waterverge.com
A 90/100

Oakmont, PA — Water Quality Report

Oakmont's drinking water received a grade of A (90 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 39,901 residents using surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.5 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. UCMR 5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound in the water supply.

The system has 13 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Oakmont's water

Oakmont ranks #8 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it one of the best 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.

PFAS compounds were detected in testing, though levels remain within current EPA limits. Residents seeking extra precaution may consider an activated carbon or reverse osmosis filter.

Haloacetic acid (HAA5) levels were elevated at 35.0 µg/L in UCMR 4 testing, though below the 60 µg/L EPA limit. Activated carbon filtration can help reduce these disinfection byproducts.

Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.05 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
42.5/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.5 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
15.6/20
B
1 PFAS compound detected.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Surface water.
Water Safety

Is Oakmont, PA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Oakmont's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (90/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 39,901 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

1
Active Violations
0.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 compound
PFAS Detected
8 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Oakmont

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

PFAS
1 PFAS "forever chemical" compound detected

Detected at levels within current EPA limits. PFAS persist indefinitely in the environment.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Oakmont's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine, Surface Water Treatment Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Surface Water Treatment Rule, Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.

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.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

PFAS (1 compound) Elevated
Detected: Highest: lithium at 11.0000 µg/L Limit: 0.004 µg/L (EPA MCL)

Detected but within current EPA limits. PFAS do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in the body over time. An activated carbon filter can reduce exposure.

Violation history

Oakmont's water system has 13 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MR
Most recent violations:
Nov 2022 Chlorine Resolved
Nov 2022 Surface Water Treatment Rule Resolved
Oct 2022 Surface Water Treatment Rule Resolved
Oct 2022 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Resolved
Jul 2018 CARBON, TOTAL Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Allegheny County has experienced 8 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 Allegheny River At Natrona, Allegheny River (Lower Pool) At Natrona, Allegheny R At Cw Bill Young L&D At Acmetonia, Allegheny R At Cw Bill Young (Lower) Acmetonia, Allegheny R At Lock & Dam 2 At Aspinwall.

HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3356
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3235
TROPICAL DEPRESSION IVAN
Hurricane FEMA DR-1557

Where does Oakmont's water come from?

Oakmont's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 39,901 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Allegheny River At Natrona (river), Allegheny River (Lower Pool) At Natrona (river), Allegheny R At Cw Bill Young L&D At Acmetonia (river), Allegheny R At Cw Bill Young (Lower) Acmetonia (river), Allegheny R At Lock & Dam 2 At Aspinwall (river).

What Oakmont residents can do

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

Oakmont'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
0.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 3% of limit
Safe Level
lithium
PFAS / Forever Chemical
Near MCL
11.0000 µg/L
EPA MCL: 0.004 µg/L · +20% over limit
Detected
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
35.0 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 58% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 8.1 µg/LHAA9: 42.6 µg/L
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium)
Inorganic
Detected
0.05 µg/L
CA MCL (no federal MCL): 10 µg/L · 1% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Strontium
Inorganic
Detected
140.0 µg/L
EPA Health Ref Level: 1,500 µg/L · 9% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Manganese
Inorganic
Detected
0.9 µg/L
EPA Secondary MCL: 50 µg/L · 2% of limit
DetectedUCMR 4 Data
Molybdenum
Inorganic
Detected
1.40 µg/L
EPA Lifetime HA: 40 µg/L · 3% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Lithium
Inorganic
Detected
11.0 µg/L
State screening level: 60 µg/L · 18% of limit
DetectedNo federal MCLUCMR 5 Data (2023–2025)
PFAS Testing

Forever chemicals overview

National PFAS report →
30
Compounds tested
1
Detected
0
Exceed EPA MCL
Compliance Record

Violation summary

13
Total violations
0
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Nov 2022
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

13 Total
1 Active
0 Health-based
12 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
6
Surface Water Treatment Rule
2
Interim and Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Nitrate Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Nov 2022 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2022
Nov 2022 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2022
Oct 2022 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 2022
Oct 2022 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 2022
Jul 2018 Resolved
CARBON, TOTAL
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2018
Jan 2018 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2018
Oct 2009 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2009
Oct 2009 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2009
Oct 2007 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2007
Oct 2007 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2007
Jan 1992 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1992
Jun 1990 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1991
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Oakmont

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 11,939 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
USS MON VALLEY WORKS - EDGAR THOMSON PLANT
Primary Metals · US STEEL CORP
BRADDOCK, PA15104
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)10,1858.5 mi
BRAEBURN ALLOY STEEL LLC
Primary Metals · G O CARLSON INC
LOWER BURRELL, PA15068
Nickel1,1829.1 mi
MCCONWAY & TORLEY LLC PLT 1801
Primary Metals · STELLEX CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
PITTSBURGH, PA15201
Manganese compounds4267.1 mi
ATI FLAT ROLLED PRODUCTS HOLDINGS LLC
Primary Metals · ATI INC
BRACKENRIDGE, PA15014
Nickel And Nickel Compounds1197.8 mi
PPG INDUSTRIESINC-SPRINGDALE COMPLEX
Chemicals · PPG INDUSTRIES INC
SPRINGDALE, PA15144
Zinc compounds283.0 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Oakmont

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

8
Declared disasters
Oct 2012
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Allegheny County has experienced 8 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 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA #3235
Sep 2004
TROPICAL DEPRESSION IVAN
Hurricane FEMA #1557
Jan 1996
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1093
Jun 1986
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #766
Nov 1985
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #754

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Oakmont's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🧪
For PFAS
Reverse Osmosis or Activated Carbon Block
1 PFAS compound detected

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.5 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
11Cl-PF3OUdS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
4:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
6:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
8:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
ADONA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
HFPO-DA ND 0.01 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
lithium 11.000 HI µg/L PFAS Detected
NEtFOSAA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
NFDHA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
NMeFOSAA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFBA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFBS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFDA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFDoA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFEESA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHpA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHpS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHxA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHxS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFMBA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFMPA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFNA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFOA ND 0.004 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFOS ND 0.004 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFPeA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFPeS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFTA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFTrDA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFUnA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 8.7 ppb from 1992 (9.2 ppb) to 2025 (0.5 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
39,901
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Oakmont's water comes from

Surface Water

Oakmont'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 39,901 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Oakmont

Oakmont is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Allegheny River At Natrona
river
Allegheny River (Lower Pool) At Natrona
river
Allegheny R At Cw Bill Young L&D At Acmetonia
river
Allegheny R At Cw Bill Young (Lower) Acmetonia
river
Allegheny R At Lock & Dam 2 At Aspinwall
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Oakmont

System Name PWSID Population Source
OAKMONT WATER AUTHORITY PA5020036 39,901 SW
Regional Comparison

How Oakmont compares

Full Pennsylvania rankings →

Oakmont's score of 90/100 is above the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Oakmont (this city)
90
Bryn Mawr
34.2
Mcmurray
86.8
Greensburg
46.7
Pennsylvania avg
49
City Profile

About Oakmont, PA

Economic Profile
$82,012
Median Income
$284,349
Median Home Value
$995/mo
Median Rent
4.9%
Unemployment
Community
47.7
Median Age
1,642
People / sq mi
56.6%
College Educated
59.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Oakmont, PA tap water safe to drink?

Oakmont's water quality earned a grade of A (90/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #8 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.

What contaminants are in Oakmont's water?

Lead was measured at 0.5 ppb (90th percentile). 1 PFAS compound was detected. 13 violations are on record.

How is Oakmont'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 Oakmont?

PFAS compounds have been detected. A filter with activated carbon can help reduce exposure.

Where does Oakmont's water come from?

Oakmont's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 39,901 residents.

How does Oakmont's water compare to other cities?

Oakmont ranks #8 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 99% of state cities) and #2437 out of 15744 cities nationally (85th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.