Pennsylvania Statutes Title 71 P.S. State Government § 510-18. Water supply (Adm. Code § 1918-A)

(1) To issue waterworks permits, and stipulate therein the conditions under which water may be supplied to the public, and to administer sections 1, 2 and 3, act of April 22, 1905 (P.L. 260), entitled “An act to preserve the purity of the waters of the State, for the protection of the public health,” its amendments and supplements;  1

(2) To investigate, hold hearings upon and determine any question of fact regarding the purity of water supplied to the public by any public utility over which the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has jurisdiction, whenever said commission shall certify such question to the department.

The findings of the department upon any such questions shall be incorporated in and made a part of the determination or decision of said commission of the controversy or other proceeding in connection with which the question arose and shall be binding upon the parties to such controversy or other proceeding unless either party shall take an appeal from the commission's determination or decision as may now or hereafter be provided by law;

(3) To make a bacteriological examination and report of any sample of water sent by any person to the department's laboratory at Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.