Skip to main content
WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 16038 Water Quality & Testing Report

Harrisville, PA · Butler County County · Updated for 2026

Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 16038 (Harrisville, PA)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 16038 (Harrisville, PA) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (55/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by SLIPPERY ROCK MUNI AUTH, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

1

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 16038

Tap water in ZIP code 16038 (Harrisville, PA) is distributed by SLIPPERY ROCK MUNI AUTH (EPA ID: PA5100079), serving approximately 15,778 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 55/100.

Water System

SLIPPERY ROCK MUNI AUTH

EPA ID: PA5100079

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

15,778 residents

County

Butler County County, Pennsylvania

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 16038

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 16038. Contact SLIPPERY ROCK MUNI AUTH to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 16038 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 54% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

54%
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.
🪨

Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Moderately Hard4.7 GPG · 81 mg/L

Water in ZIP 16038 is Moderately Hard (81 mg/L / 4.7 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

4.7 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

81 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: SLIPPERY ROCK MUNI AUTH · PWSID: PA5100079

Verify on EPA.gov
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

SLIPPERY ROCK MUNI AUTH has recorded 1 violation, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions).

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

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Moderate based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 16038 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 2 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
🌊

Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.84%

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.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 16038

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 16038 served by SLIPPERY ROCK MUNI AUTH can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in PA for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 16038 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 16038 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 16038?+
Tap water in 16038 (Harrisville, PA) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 16038 (Harrisville, PA)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 16038, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in PA. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 16038?+
Tap water in 16038 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 81 mg/L (4.7 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 16038?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 16038 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 16038 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 16038. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 16038?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 16038. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 16038?+
Tap water in ZIP code 16038 is provided by SLIPPERY ROCK MUNI AUTH (EPA ID: PA5100079), serving approximately 15,778 residents.
What water filter should I use in 16038?+
Based on water metrics for 16038, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 16038 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 SLIPPERY ROCK MUNI AUTH. 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 →