Water Quality in Wilkes Barre, PA: No Violations - Grade N/A

Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Water Quality Overview

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 4 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 no violations across 4 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts for Wilkes Barre. This does not guarantee the absence of contaminants.

Lead Levels

The average 90th percentile lead level across Wilkes Barre water systems is 0.0000 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 4 ZIP records with known lead status.

With 87% of homes built before 1986, Wilkes Barre 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 Wilkes Barre

Wilkes Barre is served by 2 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 77,959 people across 14 ZIP codes.

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

How to Check Your Water in Wilkes Barre

1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history

2. Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants

3. 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

4. Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics

5. Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts

Wilkes Barre vs. Nearby Pennsylvania Cities

How Wilkes Barre's water quality compares to similar cities in Pennsylvania:

Recommended Water Filters for Wilkes Barre

Based on contaminants detected in Wilkes Barre's water supply, these filter types are recommended:

Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)

• Removes: Lead
• Effectiveness: 95-99%
• Cost range: $150–$500
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
• Recommended products:
  • Waterdrop G3P800
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Clearly Filtered Pitcher

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)

• Removes: Chlorine
• Effectiveness: 95-99%
• Cost range: $100–$600
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
• Recommended products:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
  • Berkey Travel

Water Quality by ZIP Code in Wilkes Barre

EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Wilkes Barre's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:

Common Questions About Wilkes Barre Water

These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania:

Is Wilkes Barre water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Wilkes Barre's 2 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.

Can I drink Wilkes Barre tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 4 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.

What is the best water filter for Wilkes Barre? Based on detected contaminants, a reverse osmosis (under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.

Wilkes Barre vs. Pennsylvania Average

Understanding how Wilkes Barre 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 Wilkes Barre.

ZIP Codes in Wilkes Barre

Wilkes Barre spans 14 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 4 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.