City of Lancaster
EPA ID: PA7360058 · 120,000 people served · 30 ZIP codes
Right now, City of Lancaster shows 2 EPA violations marked active and unresolved — the provider continues to supply approximately 120,000 residents while each finding awaits closure.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 7 (2021) to 4 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Lancaster Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The City of Lancaster serves a community with a median household income of $87,206 and an estimated 315,462 residents across its service area. Approximately 68% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
City of Lancaster's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Lancaster compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Selenium at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.05 mg/L. Hair & nail loss, nerve damage, liver & kidney damage. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Contaminant 0700 at 13 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 3 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 95 detections recorded. 22 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 13 exceed state limits.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Pennsylvania
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
CITY OF LANCASTER (EPA ID: PA7360058) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 120,000 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 30 ZIP codes across 19 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (52/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| March 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 24, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 2959 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Selenium | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| March 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 13 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 3 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2326 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17572 | 0.026 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 17516 | 0.017 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 17573 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17601 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17602 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17603 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17604 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17605 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17606 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17607 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17608 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17611 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17622 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 17699 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 15 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 15 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 17503 — Bart
- 17504 — Bausman
- 17505 — Bird In Hand
- 17516 — Conestoga
- 17520 — East Petersburg
- 17529 — Gordonville
- 17540 — Leola
- 17543 — Lititz
- 17545 — Manheim
- 17551 — Millersville
- 17554 — Mountville
- 17564 — Penryn
- 17572 — Ronks
- 17573 — Lancaster
- 17576 — Smoketown
- 17579 — Strasburg
- 17582 — Washington Boro
- 17584 — Willow Street
- 17585 — Witmer
- 17601 — Lancaster
- 17602 — Lancaster
- 17603 — Lancaster
- 17604 — Lancaster
- 17605 — Lancaster
- 17606 — Lancaster
- 17607 — Lancaster
- 17608 — Lancaster
- 17611 — Lancaster
- 17622 — Lancaster
- 17699 — Lancaster
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Lancaster (PA7360058) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Lancaster water safe to drink?
City of Lancaster has recorded 2 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does City of Lancaster serve?
City of Lancaster serves approximately 120,000 people across 30 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does City of Lancaster get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Above Current MCL
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). One or more PFAS compounds were measured above the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
City of Lancaster (EPA ID: PA7360058) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.