WaterVerge

Is Williamsburg, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: PA4070022
Overall Score
84.5 / 100
Violations
8 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#51 of 560 in Pennsylvania Top 37% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
84.5/100
waterverge.com
B+ 84.5/100

Williamsburg, PA — Water Quality Report

Williamsburg's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 residents using groundwater.

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 105 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 8 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Williamsburg's water

Williamsburg ranks #51 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Williamsburg 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, Williamsburg may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
84.5 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
35.5/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
19/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Williamsburg, PA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Williamsburg's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 residents using groundwater (wells).

8
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Williamsburg

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Williamsburg's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84.5/100).

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Radium-226, Radium-228.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), 2,3,7,8-TCDD.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

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

Disaster
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3340). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Williamsburg's water system has 105 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 8 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Oct 2024 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U Resolved
Oct 2024 Radium-226 Resolved
Oct 2024 Radium-228 Resolved
Apr 2021 Public Notice Open
Apr 2021 Public Notice Open

Flood & environmental risk

Blair County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Frankstown Br Juniata River At Williamsburg.

HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3356
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA DR-3340
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3235

Where does Williamsburg's water come from?

Williamsburg's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Frankstown Br Juniata River At Williamsburg (river).

What Williamsburg residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Monitor alerts during storms

Williamsburg'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
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

105
Total violations
1
Health-based
8
Active / unresolved
Oct 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

105 Total
8 Active
1 Health-based
97 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
40
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
35
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
9
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
4
Consumer Confidence Rule
4
Apr 2021 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Apr 2021 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Sep 2013 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2005 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2024 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Oct 2024 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Oct 2024 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Jan 2020 Resolved
Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2020
Jan 2020 Resolved
2,3,7,8-TCDD
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2020
Sep 2015 Resolved
Groundwater Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2015
Jan 2014 Resolved
Carbon tetrachloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2014
Jan 2014 Resolved
Trichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2014
Jan 2014 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2014
Jan 2014 Resolved
Nitrite
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2014
Jan 2014 Resolved
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2014
Jan 2014 Resolved
o-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2014
Showing 20 of 105 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Oct 2012
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Blair County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #3356
Sep 2011
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA #3340
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA #3235
Sep 2004
TROPICAL DEPRESSION IVAN
Hurricane FEMA #1557
Jul 1996
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA #1130
Jan 1996
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1093

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 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 decreased by 3.0 ppb from 1993 (4.0 ppb) to 1996 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,800
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Williamsburg's water comes from

Groundwater

Williamsburg's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

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 1,800 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Williamsburg

Williamsburg is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Frankstown Br Juniata River At Williamsburg
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Williamsburg

System Name PWSID Population Source
WILLIAMSBURG MUNIC AUTH PA4070022 1,800 GW
Regional Comparison

How Williamsburg compares

Full Pennsylvania rankings →

Williamsburg's score of 84.5/100 is above the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Williamsburg (this city)
84.5
Bryn Mawr
34.2
Mcmurray
86.8
Greensburg
46.7
Pennsylvania avg
49
City Profile

About Williamsburg, PA

Wikipedia →

Williamsburg in Morrisons Cove, is a borough in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,241 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area

Economic Profile
$49,444
Median Income
$109,982
Median Home Value
$556/mo
Median Rent
4.3%
Unemployment
Community
37.2
Median Age
1,302
People / sq mi
9.2%
College Educated
67.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Williamsburg, PA tap water safe to drink?

Williamsburg's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #51 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.

What contaminants are in Williamsburg's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 105 violations are on record.

How is Williamsburg'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 Williamsburg?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Williamsburg's water come from?

Williamsburg's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 residents.

What health violations has Williamsburg's water system had?

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Williamsburg 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 105 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 Williamsburg's water compare to other cities?

Williamsburg ranks #51 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 91% of state cities) and #5865 out of 15744 cities nationally (63th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Williamsburg's small water system affect quality?

Williamsburg's system serves approximately 1,800 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 105 violations on record.