WaterVerge

Is Point Marion, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded F, with 217 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

4K residents served 3 water systems PWSID: PA5260027
Overall Score
43 / 100
Violations
217 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Surface water
#414 of 560 in Pennsylvania Top 93% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
FGRADE
Water Quality Grade
43/100
waterverge.com
F 43/100

Point Marion, PA — Water Quality Report

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.

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

What to know about Point Marion's water

Point Marion ranks #414 out of 560 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.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
43 out of 100 Grade F
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
17/20
B
Lead at 5.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Surface water.
Water Safety

Is Point Marion, PA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

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
Active Violations
5.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Point Marion

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Point Marion's water quality assessment. Grade: F (43/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

3 health-based. Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

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

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3235). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 5.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Point Marion's water system has 726 total violations on record, including 61 health-based violations. 217 remain unresolved. 77 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

TTMROtherMONRPTMCL
Most recent violations:
Aug 2025 Groundwater Rule Open
Mar 2025 Groundwater Rule Open
Mar 2025 Groundwater Rule Open
Mar 2025 Groundwater Rule Open
Oct 2024 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Fayette County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1971. 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 Monongahela R, Deckers Creek, Monongahela R L&D8 (Upper Pool) @ Point Marion, Monongahela R L&D8 (Lower Pool) @ Point Marion, Cheat Lake.

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

Where does Point Marion's water come from?

Point Marion's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 3,900 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Monongahela R (river), Deckers Creek (river), Monongahela R L&D8 (Upper Pool) @ Point Marion (river), Monongahela R L&D8 (Lower Pool) @ Point Marion (river), Cheat Lake (lake).

What Point Marion residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Point Marion'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
5.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 33% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

726
Total violations
61
Health-based
217
Active / unresolved
Aug 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

726 Total
217 Active
61 Health-based
509 Resolved
9 SNC
Violations by category
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
160
Volatile Organic Chemicals
120
Surface Water Treatment Rule
112
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
91
Total Coliform Rule
71
Aug 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Mar 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Mar 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Mar 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2024 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
May 2024 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jul 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jul 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Dec 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 726 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Point Marion

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 444 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
FORT MARTIN POWER STATION
Electric Utilities · FIRSTENERGY CORP
MAIDSVILLE, WV26541
Nickel And Nickel Compounds3874.0 mi
LONGVIEW POWER
Electric Utilities · MOUNTAIN STATE ENERGY HOLDINGS LLC
MAIDSVILLE, WV26541
Zinc compounds493.7 mi
MORGANTOWN TECHNICAL SERVICES INC
Other · SWANSON INDUSTRIES INC
MOUNT MORRIS, PA15349
Ethylene glycol58.4 mi
CORESCO LLC MAIDSVILLE COMPLEX
Other · MEPCO HOLDINGS LLC
MAIDSVILLE, WV26541
Manganese compounds25.4 mi
SI GROUP INC -NORTH PLANT
Chemicals · SI GROUP INC
MORGANTOWN, WV26501
Phenol19.6 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
Oct 2012
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Fayette County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1971. 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
Nov 1985
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #754
Jun 1972
TROPICAL STORM AGNES
Flood FEMA #340

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 5.0 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 4.0 ppb from 1993 (1.0 ppb) to 1996 (5.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
3,900
Water Systems
3
Source breakdown
Surface Water
2
Purchased Surface Water
1
Water Source

Where Point Marion's water comes from

Surface Water

Point Marion'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 3,900 people through 3 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Point Marion

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

Monongahela R
river
Deckers Creek
river
Monongahela R L&D8 (Upper Pool) @ Point Marion
river
Monongahela R L&D8 (Lower Pool) @ Point Marion
river
Cheat Lake
lake
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Point Marion

System Name PWSID Population Source
ALBERT GALLATIN MUNI AUTH PA5260027 2,695 SW
POINT MARION BORO PA5260017 1,110 SW
STATE LINE MUNI SVCS AUTH PA5260035 95 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Point Marion compares

Full Pennsylvania rankings →

Point Marion's score of 43/100 is below the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

Point Marion (this city)
43
Bryn Mawr
34.2
Mcmurray
86.8
Greensburg
46.7
Pennsylvania avg
49
City Profile

About Point Marion, PA

Economic Profile
$47,500
Median Income
$91,345
Median Home Value
$979/mo
Median Rent
5.8%
Unemployment
Community
36.6
Median Age
1,216
People / sq mi
12.9%
College Educated
60.3%
Homeownership
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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 #414 out of 560 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 #414 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 26% of state cities) and #14675 out of 15744 cities nationally (7th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.