TapSafetyReport
F0/100

Altoona Tap Water Quality: Is It Safe to Drink? (2026 Report)

Serving 62,500 residents · Pennsylvania

What's In Altoona's Tap Water?

76
Contaminants Tested
0
Exceed EPA Limits
1
Above EPA Goals
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
ContaminantDetectedLimit (MCL)Status
Lead (90th percentile)
0.003 mg/L0.015 mg/LAbove Goal

EPA Violation History

20

Violations (last 5yr)

6

Unresolved

2

Health-Related

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: September 23, 2025 – October 10, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: September 23, 2025 – October 10, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: August 13, 2025 – October 10, 2025Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Maximum contaminant level violation

When: August 13, 2025 – October 10, 2025Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Treatment technique violation

When: August 13, 2025 – October 10, 2025Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: September 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Exceeded the MCL for disinfection byproducts

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

Understanding violation severity

Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly

Water Utility Details

ALTOONA WATER AUTHORITY
Population Served

62,500

Water Source

Surface Water

System ID

PA4070023

Frequently Asked Questions About Altoona Water

Is Altoona tap water safe to drink?

Altoona, Pennsylvania tap water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels and 269 violation(s) are on record. Residents should consider using an NSF-certified water filter to reduce contaminant exposure.

What contaminants are in Altoona's water?

Of the 76 contaminants tested in Altoona's water supply, the most notable include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 contaminant(s) exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs), which are non-enforceable targets set at levels with no known health risk.

Does Altoona have any water quality violations?

Yes, Altoona has 269 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2025. Violation types include Other, RPT, TT. 62 of these are health-based violations, which are the most serious category.

Do I need a water filter in Altoona?

Altoona water meets EPA standards, so a filter is not strictly necessary. However, some residents prefer the added security of a water filter. EPA health goals (MCLGs) are stricter than legal limits and are set at levels with zero expected health risk. 1 contaminant(s) exceed these stricter goals.

Where does Altoona's tap water come from?

Altoona's drinking water is sourced from surface water and supplied by ALTOONA WATER AUTHORITY. The system serves approximately 62,500 people. Surface water sources include rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

How often is Altoona's water tested?

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), water utilities are required to regularly test for over 90 contaminants. Testing frequency varies by contaminant — some are tested monthly, others quarterly or annually. Altoona's water systems must report results to the EPA and publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The data on this page reflects the latest available EPA testing data.

How does Altoona's water compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Altoona's water quality score of 0/100 earns a grade of F, which is considered failing. This is a concerning score that suggests significant water quality issues. Visit our Pennsylvania state page to see how all cities in the state compare.

What should I do if I'm concerned about Altoona's water quality?

If you have concerns about Altoona's tap water, consider these steps: (1) Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for detailed local data. (2) Get your water independently tested through a state-certified laboratory. (3) Consider an NSF-certified water filter rated for the contaminants found in your area. (4) Contact your water utility (ALTOONA WATER AUTHORITY) with specific questions. (5) Report water quality issues to your state drinking water program or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

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