Health Violations Found PA 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Elizabethtown Area Water

EPA ID: PA7360124 · 19,000 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Based on the latest federal compliance data, Elizabethtown Area Water has 1 violation that the EPA has not yet closed — those outstanding findings are part of the enforcement record for a utility that delivers water to approximately 19,000 people throughout its service territory.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

D · 50
Avg Safety Score
19,000
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
12
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
6
Contaminants Flagged
$272K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 5 (2021) to 1 (2026). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Elizabethtown Area Water Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$88,503
Median Household Income
75,295
Service Area Population
17%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
64%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Elizabethtown Area Water serves a community with a median household income of $88,503 and an estimated 75,295 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Elizabethtown Area Water'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

50 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
19 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 72% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Elizabethtown Area Water compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

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.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Fecal Coliform at 3 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Contaminant 0700 at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Contaminant 2383 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 19 detections recorded. 5 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.014 ppt, PFOS: 0.018 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

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

D 18 violations
D 16 violations
Ambridge Water Authority
19,500 people
D 26 violations
Fox Chapel Authority
18,500 people
C 11 violations
C 109 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $450
Water Filtration $75
Total Estimated Cost $2,925

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,925 (one-time) vs. $10,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Elizabethtown Area Water (EPA ID: PA7360124) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 19,000 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (50/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 1, 2025 Contaminant 0700 Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Contaminant 2383 Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 3 No
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 3 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 2 Yes
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 2 No
Contaminant 2383 Other Violation 1 No
E. coli Microbiological 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
17022 0.003 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 Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by PA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Elizabethtown Area Water (PA7360124) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elizabethtown Area Water water safe to drink?

Elizabethtown Area Water has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 Elizabethtown Area Water serve?

Elizabethtown Area Water serves approximately 19,000 people across 4 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.

Where does Elizabethtown Area Water get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
717-367-7448
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
211 West Hummelstown Street, Elizabethtown, PA

Contact information from Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Blended (groundwater + surface water)
Combines water from both groundwater and surface sources.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorine

Source: Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Consumer Confidence Report:
A Source Water Assessment of the Elizabethtown sources completed in 2018 by Spotts, Stevens and McCoy for the PA DEP found the sources are potentially most susceptible to agricultural activities and urban runoff, with little risk of significant contamination overall.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Standard
Disinfection plus one or more treatment additives — typically corrosion control, pH adjustment, or fluoridation. Standard regime for utilities serving treated municipal water.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

AgricultureUrban runoff

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
406
Detections
17
Latest sample
7/15/2024
Highest analyte
PFBA: 11.5 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 11.5 ppt
PFBS 6 ppt
PFOS 5.7 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxA 4.6 ppt
PFPeA 4.5 ppt

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

PFAS Substances Detected in This System

This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFOS
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
5.33 ppt 18 ppt Below EPA limit
PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
4.56 ppt 14 ppt Below EPA limit

In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →

Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by Elizabethtown Area Water Authority.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Lead service line replacement plan from Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Consumer Confidence Report:
A service line inventory was prepared in 2024; details available by contacting the office.

Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker

This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.

Get notified on replacement progress

Subscribers receive an email when this utility updates its LSL plan, files a milestone report, or adjusts replacement timelines. No marketing, no third-party sharing.

By submitting you agree to Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime via the link in any email.

Elizabethtown Area Water Authority

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.

Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

16
Confirmed Lead
54
Galvanized — Replacement Required
4,231
Unknown Material
2,417
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-06-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 19,000
Reported to Pennsylvania

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Federal compliance violations on record

These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).

  • reporting
    Date not published
    Late Reporting violation due to contracted lab uploading results after the deadline.

Violations record from Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

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

Is water from Elizabethtown Area Water safe to drink?
Elizabethtown Area Water has a D safety grade based on 12 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Elizabethtown Area Water's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Fecal Coliform, Contaminant 0700. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Elizabethtown Area Water serve?
Elizabethtown Area Water serves approximately 19,000 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Elizabethtown Area Water's water source?
Elizabethtown Area Water draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Elizabethtown Area Water's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Elizabethtown Area Water's service area?
The Elizabethtown Area Water service area has a median household income of $88,503. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Elizabethtown Area Water get its water?
Elizabethtown Area Water'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Elizabethtown Area Water (EPA ID: PA7360124) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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