Water Quality in Carlisle, PA: 118 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems
7 water systems · 2 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 118 violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Carlisle. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Carlisle
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17015 | 85 | 3 | View report → |
| 17013 | 64 | 1 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Carlisle, Pennsylvania has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 2 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 118 violations, including 3 health-based violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Carlisle is 0.0321 mg/L - this exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 1 ZIP code exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 62% of homes built before 1986, Carlisle has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Carlisle
Carlisle is served by 7 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 61,978 people live in the area (2 ZIP codes, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list 20 enforcement actions against water systems serving Carlisle. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Carlisle
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Carlisle Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Carlisle's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 19 | 2 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 19 | 2 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 12 | 2 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 10 | 2 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 9 | 2 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | N/A | 8 | 2 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 7 | 2 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 6 | 2 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1.3 mg/L | 4 | 2 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 0.005 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 4 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 0.05 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
The standard column shows the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) except for lead and copper, whose value is an action level that triggers corrective steps and is not an MCL. Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL and treatment-technique violations.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 16 enforcement actions against water systems serving Carlisle. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-11 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-11 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-11-13 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-11-13 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-10-24 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-09-12 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-08-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-27 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-20 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-12 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-11.
Carlisle vs. Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
How Carlisle's water quality compares to similar cities in Pennsylvania:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle | 2 | 118 | 7 | 61,978 |
| Lansdale | 1 | 13 | 3 | 61,608 |
| Altoona | 2 | 75 | 5 | 60,440 |
| Chambersburg | 2 | 91 | 5 | 60,347 |
Common Questions About Carlisle Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Carlisle, Pennsylvania:
Is Carlisle water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Carlisle's 7 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Carlisle tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 3 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Carlisle? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Carlisle vs. Pennsylvania Average
Understanding how Carlisle compares to the broader Pennsylvania average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Carlisle.
ZIP Codes in Carlisle
Carlisle spans 2 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 2 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.