01The verdict: is Spring Mills water safe?
Spring Mills's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (42/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 834 residents using groundwater (wells).
223 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 1.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓267 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 ↓Spring Mills's drinking water received a grade of F (42 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 834 residents using ground water under influence.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 1113 violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 223 remain unresolved.
Spring Mills ranks #434 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Spring Mills 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, Spring Mills may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 267 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Spring Mills's water
Every contaminant flagged in Spring Mills, 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. | 1.0 | 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
03Spring Mills'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 1113 violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 223 remain unresolved.
0 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 3 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 4 ppb (1996) — 27% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Spring Mills's water comes from
Spring Mills's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Ground Water Under Influence
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.
4 systems
4 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
834 people
Residents served across Spring Mills'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 834 people through 4 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GREGG TOWNSHIP WATER AUTHORITY | PA4140107 | 670 | Ground Water Under Influence |
| COUNTRY CLUB PARK | PA4140125 | 75 | Groundwater |
| HIDDEN VIEW ESTATES | PA4140048 | 57 | Groundwater |
| WYNWOOD HOUSE AT SALEM HILL | PA4140127 | 32 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Spring Mills
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Spring Mills'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 Spring Mills compares
Scores for nearby Pennsylvania cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Pennsylvania average (49/100)
Spring Mills scores 42/100 — 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 Spring Mills's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Spring Mills'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 Spring Mills 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 Spring Mills, PA tap water safe to drink?
Spring Mills's water quality earned a grade of F (42/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #434 out of 559 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in Spring Mills's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 1113 violations are on record.
How is Spring Mills'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 Spring Mills?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Spring Mills's water come from?
Spring Mills's water is sourced from Ground water under influence. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 834 residents.
What health violations has Spring Mills's water system had?
Spring Mills has 10 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2026. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 223 violations remain unresolved.
Is Spring Mills's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Spring Mills 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 1113 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 Spring Mills's water compare to other cities?
Spring Mills ranks #434 out of 559 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 22% of state cities) and #14600 out of 15382 cities nationally (5th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.