EMMAUS BOROUGH PUBLIC WATER
Emmaus, PA
PFAS well over limit
Summary: On average, PFOS was measured 31.8 times over the limit at Waterworks Building. Altogether, testing detected 13 chemicals at four locations. The highest single measurement was 38.3 times over the limit.
Possible sources: Firefighting training school
The EPA has limited two types of forever chemicals. PFOA and PFOS are capped at a yearly average of 4 parts per trillion (ppt).
How many types of regulated PFAS were found?
How many sample sites found these chemicals?
Averaged results over limits
Local systems will have to fix their water if annual averages at a given test site exceed the limit. The chart below shows averaged results at each of this system's facilities that are over EPA limits.
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Tap the squares or a chemical name for details. Hover over the squares or click a chemical name for details.Full results
This chart shows how 16 samples of these regulated chemicals collected between July 31, 2024, and Feb. 10, 2025, compare to the EPA limits.
On May 14, the EPA announced plans to rescind limits it set in April 2024 for three forever chemicals: PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX). They had been capped at a yearly average of 10 ppt. A fourth chemical, called PFBS, was to be limited only when found in certain combinations with the others, but that "Hazard Index" limit was also rescinded. The EPA plans to reconsider these limits by spring 2026.
How many types of these PFAS were found?
How many sample sites found these chemicals?
Averaged results over rescinded limits
Local systems would have had to fix their water if annual averages at a given test site exceeded the limit. The chart below compares these average results to the now-rescinded EPA limits.
Tap the squares or a chemical name for details. Hover over the squares or click a chemical name for details.Full results
This chart shows how 32 samples of these chemicals collected between July 31, 2024, and Feb. 10, 2025, compare to the now-rescinded EPA limits.
*NOTE: PFBS was to be limited only when found in certain combinations with the other chemicals, so this analysis cannot compare it to a limit.
The EPA has asked drinking water systems to test for 23 other types of forever chemicals. These do not currently have any restrictions or health-based standards, but the EPA has said they may warrant future regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
How many types of unregulated PFAS were found?
How many sample sites found these chemicals?
This chart shows the concentrations for 184 samples of unregulated chemicals collected between July 31, 2024, and Feb. 10, 2025.
Visit the EPA's data finder here for more details about this water system's test results.
Tap a system below for details. Click on a system below for details.SALISBURY TWP WATER SYSTEM Allentown, PA | PFAS detected |
LCA ALLENTOWN DIVISION Allentown, PA | PFAS detected |
UPPER SAUCON TWP WATER SUPPLY Center Valley, PA | PFAS detected |
SWT MAIN SYSTEM Allentown, PA | PFAS detected |
LCA WLSA CENTRAL DIVISION Allentown, PA | PFAS over limit |
WHITEHALL TWP AUTHORITY Whitehall, PA | PFAS detected |
LOWER SAUCON AUTHORITY Bethlehem, PA | No PFAS detected |
CATASAUQUA MUN WATER WORKS Catasauqua, PA | PFAS detected |
MILFORD TWP WATER AUTHORITY Spinnerstown, PA | PFAS detected |
HELLERTOWN BOROUGH AUTHORITY Hellertown, PA | No PFAS detected |
SOURCE: USA TODAY analysis of EPA UCMR 5 data, last updated