Water Quality in Ephrata, PA: 31 Violations - Grade N/A
5 water systems · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 31 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Ephrata. 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 Ephrata
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17522 | 31 | 4 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Ephrata.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
Water Quality Overview
Ephrata, Pennsylvania has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 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 31 violations, including 4 health-based violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Ephrata water systems is 0.0048 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 59% of homes built before 1986, Ephrata 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 Ephrata
Ephrata is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 33,601 people across 1 ZIP code.
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
The EPA has taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Ephrata. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Ephrata
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 Ephrata Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Ephrata's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 3 | 1 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1.3 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 2 | 1 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Benzene | Organic | 0.005 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Chlorodibromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| Radium-226 | Radionuclides | 5 pCi/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 5 pCi/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Ephrata:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Ephrata. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-06-08 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2026-01-06 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-12-02 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-12-02 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-08-15 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-07-31 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-07-31 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-04-28 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-04-28 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-04-28 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-06-08.
Ephrata vs. Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
How Ephrata's water quality compares to similar cities in Pennsylvania:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ephrata | 1 | 31 | 5 | 33,601 |
| Cranberry Twp | 1 | 8 | 3 | 33,543 |
| Wayne | 1 | 30 | 1 | 33,770 |
| Langhorne | 1 | 24 | 5 | 34,182 |
Common Questions About Ephrata Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Ephrata, Pennsylvania:
Is Ephrata water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Ephrata's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Ephrata tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 4 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Ephrata? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Ephrata vs. Pennsylvania Average
Understanding how Ephrata 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 Ephrata.
ZIP Codes in Ephrata
Ephrata spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. 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.