Water Quality in Wilkes Barre, PA: No Violations in Mapped EPA Records
2 water systems · 4 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report no violations across 4 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Wilkes Barre. This does not cover unavailable records or guarantee a specific tap is contaminant-free.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Wilkes Barre
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18701 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 18702 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 18705 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 18706 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
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 of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Wilkes Barre is reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit); the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). 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. About 77,959 people live in the area (14 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
How to Check Your Water in Wilkes Barre
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
Wilkes Barre vs. Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
How Wilkes Barre's water quality compares to similar cities in Pennsylvania:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes Barre | 4 | 0 | 2 | 77,959 |
| Mechanicsburg | 2 | 16 | 3 | 83,963 |
| Lebanon | 2 | 42 | 6 | 71,327 |
| Norristown | 2 | 971 | 5 | 87,066 |
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? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. 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.