01The verdict: is Port Matilda water safe?
Port Matilda's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (66.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,115 residents using groundwater (wells).
8 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 3.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓14 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 ↓Port Matilda's drinking water received a grade of C+ (66.9 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,115 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 3.0 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 218 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 8 remain unresolved.
Port Matilda ranks #215 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Port Matilda 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, Port Matilda may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 14 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Port Matilda's water
Every contaminant flagged in Port Matilda, 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. | 3.0 | 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
03Port Matilda'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 218 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 8 remain unresolved.
2 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 1 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 3 ppb (2007) — 20% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Port Matilda's water comes from
Port Matilda'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.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under private ownership.
2,115 people
Residents served across Port Matilda'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 private ownership and serves approximately 2,115 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPPER HALFMOON WATER | PA4140109 | 1,500 | Groundwater |
| PORT MATILDA WATERWORKS | PA4140088 | 615 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Port Matilda'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
8 federal disaster declarations on record for Centre County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Port Matilda compares
Scores for nearby Pennsylvania cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Pennsylvania average (49/100)
Port Matilda scores 66.9/100 — 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 Port Matilda's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Port Matilda'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 →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 Port Matilda 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 Port Matilda, PA tap water safe to drink?
Port Matilda's water quality earned a grade of C+ (66.9/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #215 out of 559 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in Port Matilda's water?
Lead was measured at 3.0 ppb (90th percentile). 218 violations are on record.
How is Port Matilda'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 Port Matilda?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Port Matilda's water come from?
Port Matilda's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,115 residents.
What health violations has Port Matilda's water system had?
Port Matilda has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.
Is Port Matilda's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Port Matilda 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 218 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 Port Matilda's water compare to other cities?
Port Matilda ranks #215 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 62% of state cities) and #11140 out of 15382 cities nationally (28th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.