01The verdict: is Sigel water safe?
Sigel's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 700 residents using groundwater (wells).
7 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 ↓Top half in Pennsylvania
Sigel ranks #44 of 559 graded Pennsylvania cities.
See the comparison ↓2 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 ↓Sigel's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 700 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 5.2 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 45 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 7 remain unresolved.
Sigel ranks #44 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state. Sigel 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Sigel may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Sigel's water
Every contaminant flagged in Sigel, 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. | 5.2 | 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
03Sigel'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 45 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 7 remain unresolved.
6 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.
▲ Up 1 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 5.2 ppb (1996) — 35% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Sigel's water comes from
Sigel'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.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
700 people
Residents served across Sigel'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 700 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELDRED TWP MUNIC AUTH | PA6330840 | 700 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Sigel
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Sigel'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.
Flood & storm history
8 federal disaster declarations on record for Jefferson County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Sigel compares
Scores for nearby Pennsylvania cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Pennsylvania average (49/100)
Sigel scores 85.3/100 — above the Pennsylvania average of 49/100. It outscores 9 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 Sigel's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 5.2 ppb
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 Sigel 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 Sigel, PA tap water safe to drink?
Sigel's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #44 out of 559 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in Sigel's water?
Lead was measured at 5.2 ppb (90th percentile). 45 violations are on record.
How is Sigel'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 Sigel?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Sigel's water come from?
Sigel's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 700 residents.
What health violations has Sigel's water system had?
Sigel has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 7 violations remain unresolved.
Is Sigel's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Sigel 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 45 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 Sigel's water compare to other cities?
Sigel ranks #44 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 92% of state cities) and #5373 out of 15382 cities nationally (65th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Sigel's small water system affect quality?
Sigel's system serves approximately 700 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 45 violations on record.