Valley Run Water System
What EPA’s and Pennsylvania’s records show in this utility’s water: PFAS; nitrate, arsenic and other regulated chemicals; and violations since 2016, with the certification that handles each result.
- Serves
- 626 people
- Connections
- 450
- Water source
- Groundwater
- Based in
- Georgetown, PA
- County
- Berks
- Owner
- Private
The ZIP code it serves
The short answer
3 results are above the health goal. The worst: PFOS, above the health goal. No health-based violations on file since 2016.
What handles itWhat was found
PFAS: Pennsylvania’s own results under its PFAS rule, entry point samples taken from Jan. 11, 2024 to Oct. 10, 2024.
Arsenic, uranium, nitrate, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), fluoride, haloacetic acids (HAA5) and chromium (total): Pennsylvania’s own results, samples taken from May 19, 2020 to Aug. 13, 2026, with EPA’s 2012 to 2019 file for earlier years.
PFAS: PFOS was found, of the six PFAS in EPA’s 2024 drinking water rule; its result is below.
EPA’s 2024 PFAS rule, compound by compound
| PFAS | EPA’s limit | Result |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 4.0 ppt | Not foundNot found in any of 8 samples |
| PFOS | 4.0 ppt | Above the health goal2.5 ppt highest, found in 4 of 8 samples. Details |
| Results from Pennsylvania’s own PFAS monitoring, samples where water enters the pipes; each compound’s card has its four-quarter averages, the way limits are judged. The limits are EPA’s 2024 rule, with compliance due from 2029; EPA has since proposed changes to some of them, explained on each compound’s page. Pennsylvania’s own limits for PFOA and PFOS are in force now. PFBS has no limit of its own and counts only toward EPA’s Hazard Index, which TapBuff works out only from UCMR 5’s averages, so it isn’t given here. | ||
About PFAS certifications
NSF’s PFAS claims are tested to below 20 ppt. EPA’s limit is 4.0 ppt, and EPA says no certification yet shows a filter reaching its levels.
Above the health goal3
PFOS
Comes from the source
2.5ppt
Highest sample, April 12, 2024; found in 4 of 8
2024 average: 1.1 ppt
The highest sample was 2.5 ppt: below EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt, which takes effect in 2029, but above its health goal of zero. Averaged over four quarters at one entry point, the way both Pennsylvania’s limit and EPA’s are judged, the highest was 2.3 ppt, for the year to Dec. 31, 2024: below Pennsylvania’s limit of 18 ppt and below EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt. Its only year on file is 2024, when its eight samples averaged 1.1 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “PFOS Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)”
Arsenic
Comes from the source
4.0ppb
Highest yearly average, 2021 to 2024
Averaged by year, the highest was 4.0 ppb, in 2024: below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. Its highest single sample was 8.0 ppb. That was also the latest year on file. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 3.5 ppb, in 2012.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
Uranium
Comes from the source
2.2ppb
Highest yearly average, 2022
Averaged by year, the highest was 2.2 ppb, in 2022: below EPA’s legal limit of 30 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. Its highest single sample was 2.3 ppb. That is the only year on file. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 1.7 ppb, in 2016.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Uranium”
Below EPA’s limits5
Nitrate
Comes from the source
4.4ppm
Highest sample; found in 14 of 14
2026 average: 3.7 ppm
The highest sample, in 2025, was 4.4 ppm, below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppm. In 2026, the latest year on file, its two samples averaged 3.7 ppm. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest sample of 4.1 ppm, in 2017.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge)”
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)
Forms or is added in treatment
7.1ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026: not found
Averaged by year, the highest was 7.1 ppb, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 80 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, it wasn’t found in its one sample. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 7.8 ppb, in 2018.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
Fluoride
Forms or is added in treatment
0.14ppm
Highest yearly average, 2021 to 2024
2024 average: 0.12 ppm
Averaged by year, the highest was 0.14 ppm, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 4.0 ppm. Its highest single sample was 0.27 ppm. In 2024, the latest year on file, its two samples averaged 0.12 ppm. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 0.17 ppm, in 2015.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Fluoride Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Fluoride”
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Forms or is added in treatment
1.1ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026: not found
Averaged by year, the highest was 1.1 ppb, in 2022, below EPA’s legal limit of 60 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, it wasn’t found in its one sample. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 1.3 ppb, in 2018.
What handles it
No certification claim covers this compound yet.
Chromium (total)
Comes from the source
1.0ppb
Highest yearly average, 2021 to 2024
2024 average: 0.5 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 1.0 ppb, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 100 ppb. Its highest single sample was 2.0 ppb. In 2024, the latest year on file, its two samples averaged 0.5 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 3.0 ppb, in 2018.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Chromium (Hexavalent) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Chromium Reduction”
One compound tested and not foundBelow the reporting level in every sample. Not found is not the same as zero.
- PFOA
What handles it
A certification covers specific claims, not a whole standard. Look for these claims on the certifier’s listing, not the box. Wording varies a little: NSF writes “Lead Reduction,” WQA just “Lead.”
- NSF/ANSI 53
Claims: PFOS Reduction, Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction
For: PFOS, Arsenic
Other certifiers’ wording: Total PFAS Reduction; Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS); Arsenic (III) (50 ppb influent level)
- NSF/ANSI 58
Claims: Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction, Uranium
For: PFOS, Arsenic, Uranium
Other certifiers’ wording: Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=300 ppb Reduction; Arsenic (V) (300 ppb influent level)
At the tap, or for the whole house?
These come with the water itself, so a whole-house system certified for the same claims treats every tap and shower. A filter at the tap treats drinking water for much less. How whole-house systems compare.
Filters with those claims on a certifier’s listing
Disclosure: TapBuff earns a commission if you buy through some links on this page. It does not change which standard or filter we name. As an Amazon Associate, TapBuff earns from qualifying purchases. How TapBuff makes money
Countertop reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOS, Arsenic
Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO2)
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: PFOS, Arsenic
Brondell Capella RC250 Reverse Osmosis System
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: PFOS, Arsenic
ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher (ZP-010)
Pitcher
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOS
Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect (AQ-MF-1)
Under-sink carbon
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 16, 2026
Certified for: PFOS
Violations since 2016
No health-based violations on file with EPA since 2016. There are 22 monitoring or reporting violations: a sample missed, late or not reported.
What this report can’t tell you
Everything else. Arsenic, uranium, nitrate, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), fluoride, haloacetic acids (HAA5) and chromium (total) results here are Pennsylvania’s own from 2020 on, with EPA’s national file for 2012 to 2019. Valley Run Water System’s own annual report, which it must send you every year, has the contaminants this page does not show.
Your own plumbing. Lead results are the 90th percentile across homes the utility samples. Your home’s service line, solder and fixtures decide yours. A certified lab test is the only way to know.
What it means for your health. This page reports what the records show and EPA’s limits and goals; it is not medical advice. If you are worried about a health effect, talk to a doctor or your local health department.
Anything after the latest data. SDWIS data is from 2026 Q3; UCMR 5 didn’t sample this utility; Pennsylvania’s results run from May 19, 2020 to Aug. 13, 2026; Pennsylvania’s PFAS results run from Jan. 11, 2024 to Oct. 10, 2024.
Testing your own tap
The 3 labs Pennsylvania certifies closest to the area Valley Run Water System serves, in a straight line. Call first: certification is test by test, and not every lab takes samples from homeowners.
Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc.
Bryn Mawr, PA · about 13 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, lead and copper, metals, minerals and other inorganics, organic chemicals, disinfection byproducts, PFAS, radioactivity
Analytical Laboratories, Inc
Telford, PA · about 16 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate
Brandywine Science Center
Kennett Square, PA · about 20 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, lead and copper, metals, minerals and other inorganics
Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory: Drinking water test kits from many county Extension offices, mailed back to the lab overnight with payment. Packages cover bacteria and basic chemistry, with add-ons for nitrate, metals, lead, and mining or gas drilling concerns. The standard package of bacteria, pH and total dissolved solids is $60, or $70 with nitrate; bacteria alone is $40, nitrate $15 and lead $25. Drinking Water Testing, Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Lab.
All 108 certified labs for PennsylvaniaSources
- EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, file of Oct. 15, 2026
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Reporting System, PFAS results read Oct. 17, 2026
- EPA SDWA bulk download (SDWIS federal data), 2026 Q3
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Reporting System, results from Jan. 2, 2020 to Oct. 8, 2026, read Oct. 17, 2026
- EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data, 2012 to 2019, file of Feb. 5, 2024
- Certified labs: Pennsylvania DEP Laboratory Accreditation Program, accredited labs for drinking water, read Oct. 11, 2026; distances from the Census 2020 ZIP code tabulation area gazetteer
- Limits and goals: each contaminant’s page, with its EPA source.
- How this page is built: methodology.
PWSID PA3060135. Rebuilt from EPA data on Oct. 18, 2026.
What to do next
- Read up on the 3 results above a lineWhat each one does to health, where it comes from, and the certification claim that addresses it.Start with PFOS
- Get the utility’s own reportValley Run Water System must send you a water quality report every year. It covers contaminants this page does not show.How to read it
- Test your own tap for leadYour service line, solder and fixtures decide the lead at your faucet, not the utility’s average.Lead in your water: what to do
- Compare certified filtersWhat the filters certified for these results cost over five years, cartridges included.Compare five-year costs