Mount Gretna, PA: Lead Above EPA Limits — 29/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Mount Gretna ranks below average for tap water safety in PA — health-based violations are documented across multiple service areas in recent EPA monitoring data.
How Mount Gretna Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Mount Gretna Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 8 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.1995 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 89% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $6,540 per household.
Mount Gretna's Water Providers
3 independent water providers serve Mount Gretna, PA — 6 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania (population ~738), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 52,135 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mount Gretna: F (29/100)
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
Mount Gretna water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.1995 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17064 | F | 8 | 0 | Pa Amer Water Company |
All ZIP Codes in Mount Gretna
- 17064 [F] — 8 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.
What's in Mount Gretna's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Mount Gretna Infrastructure Age
With 89% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Because the majority of Mount Gretna's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1901 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Mount Gretna were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Mount Gretna
Remediation costs in Mount Gretna represent a moderate share of typical home values — worth budgeting for carefully, though within reach for most homeowners who plan ahead.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Mount Gretna. The estimated $4,360–$8,620 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 69% above the Pennsylvania average.
Mount Gretna: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Pulling a draw-test kit is how individual households confirm what the aggregate already signals: utility readings beyond the regulatory benchmark together with 89% pre-rule stock in Mount Gretna.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Mount Gretna
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Mount Gretna's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 89% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mount Gretna, PA