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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 16698 Water Quality Report

Houtzdale, PA · Clearfield County County

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

1

Total Violations

4

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

1

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Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 0 unresolved violation. Contact Houtzdale Municipal Authority for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 16698

Tap water in ZIP code 16698 (Houtzdale, PA) has received a D grade (score: 54/100) — below average for the nation. Houtzdale Municipal Authority has recorded notable violations with EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations. Residents may want to consider additional filtration and review their annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Water System

Houtzdale Municipal Authority

EPA ID: PA6170023

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

8,410 residents

County

Clearfield County County, Pennsylvania

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Lead Levels in ZIP 16698

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 16698. This may occur with very small systems or systems that report under a parent utility. Contact Houtzdale Municipal Authority directly to request lead testing results or a copy of their Consumer Confidence Report.
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Houtzdale Municipal Authority has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. A single health violation means the water exceeded an EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) at some point. Most water systems resolve these quickly, but residents should review the Consumer Confidence Report for details.

Total Violations (5 yr)
4
Health-Based Violations
1
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk is rated Critical — the highest risk category. Houtzdale Municipal Authority has an extensive history of unresolved violations and enforcement actions. Independent water testing is highly recommended.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant associated with health-based violations in ZIP code 16698: Fecal Coliform. These contaminants exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act at some point in the 5-year monitoring period. The presence of these violations does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe — water systems are often required to increase monitoring and treatment when violations occur. Review the annual Consumer Confidence Report for the most current status.

Fecal Coliform

⚖ Enforcement Actions

8 enforcement actions have been issued against Houtzdale Municipal Authority — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 16698 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact Houtzdale Municipal Authority to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 16698 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 16698?+
Tap water in 16698 has a below-average water quality grade of D. While it is treated, there have been notable compliance issues. We strongly recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter for drinking and cooking, especially for vulnerable populations.
What is the lead level in 16698 tap water?+
Lead level data from EPA monitoring is not available for 16698. Contact Houtzdale Municipal Authority directly for the most recent lead testing results.
Who provides tap water to 16698?+
Tap water in ZIP code 16698 is provided by Houtzdale Municipal Authority (EPA ID: PA6170023). This system serves approximately 8,410 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 16698?+
ZIP code 16698 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 16698 have any active water quality violations?+
There are 1 health-based violation in the past 5-year record, but no currently unresolved violations according to EPA data. This means past issues have been addressed.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 16698?+
Your water utility — Houtzdale Municipal Authority — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "Houtzdale Municipal Authority Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 16698?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 16698, with detected contaminants including Fecal Coliform, a multi-stage filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended.
Is 16698 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Current EPA data for 16698 shows no available lead data — we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead filter as a precaution for infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 16698 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Houtzdale Municipal Authority. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →