01The verdict: is Point Marion water safe?
Point Marion's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (43/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 3,900 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
217 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 ↓77 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 ↓Point Marion's drinking water received a grade of F (43 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 3,900 residents using surface water.
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 726 violations on record, including 61 health-based violations. 217 remain unresolved.
Point Marion ranks #413 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it below average 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. The system has seen 77 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Point Marion's water
Every contaminant flagged in Point Marion, 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
03Point Marion'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 726 violations on record, including 61 health-based violations. 217 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 4 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 5 ppb (1996) — 33% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Point Marion's water comes from
Point Marion's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
3 systems
3 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
3,900 people
Residents served across Point Marion's service area.
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 3,900 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALBERT GALLATIN MUNI AUTH | PA5260027 | 2,695 | Surface Water |
| POINT MARION BORO | PA5260017 | 1,110 | Surface Water |
| STATE LINE MUNI SVCS AUTH | PA5260035 | 95 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Point Marion
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Point Marion's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Point Marion'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
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 444 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
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Fayette County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Point Marion compares
Scores for nearby Pennsylvania cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Pennsylvania average (49/100)
Point Marion scores 43/100 — 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 Point Marion's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Point Marion'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 Point Marion 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 Point Marion, PA tap water safe to drink?
Point Marion's water quality earned a grade of F (43/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #413 out of 559 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in Point Marion's water?
Lead was measured at 5.0 ppb (90th percentile). 726 violations are on record.
How is Point Marion'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 Point Marion?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Point Marion's water come from?
Point Marion's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 3,900 residents.
What health violations has Point Marion's water system had?
Point Marion has 61 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 217 violations remain unresolved.
How does Point Marion's water compare to other cities?
Point Marion ranks #413 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 26% of state cities) and #14361 out of 15382 cities nationally (7th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.