Lancaster, PA: 12 Health Violations — 57/100 (2026)
12 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Lancaster, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for PA.
How Lancaster Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Lancaster, PA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Lancaster score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Lancaster Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 168 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,250 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Lancaster
Water service in Lancaster, PA is split across 3 utilities out of 10 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 12 ZIP codes in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 174,938 people.
12 of 12 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 12 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lancaster: C (57/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Lancaster water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 12 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 52 | 12 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 39 | 12 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 26 | 12 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 26 | 12 |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 13 | 12 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17573 | C | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
| 17601 | D | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
| 17602 | D | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
| 17603 | D | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
| 17604 | C | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
| 17605 | C | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
| 17606 | C | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
| 17607 | C | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
| 17608 | C | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
| 17611 | C | 14 | 1 | City of Lancaster |
All ZIP Codes in Lancaster
- 17573 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17601 [D] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17602 [D] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17603 [D] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17604 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17605 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17606 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17607 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17608 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17611 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17622 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 17699 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
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
Updated daily.
Top Contaminants in Lancaster Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Lancaster Homeowners
Property equity in Lancaster runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Lancaster are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,450–$3,175 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 17% above the Pennsylvania average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lancaster
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Lancaster appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Lancaster
Lancaster's NFIP record reflects high flood exposure — 578 claims spanning a long history of significant events, with 42% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones. High flood frequency increases the probability of water quality disruptions at each point in the supply chain: treatment facilities, transmission infrastructure, and private wells all face elevated stress risk when flooding is a recurring feature rather than a rare exception.
Lancaster has a significant flood history with 578 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $11,912 per claim. With 42% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,250</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Lancaster
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lancaster's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lancaster, PA