Water Quality: Harrisburg, PA
15 water systems • 248,203 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Harrisburg is served by 15 public water systems with a combined service population of 248,203 people, and has 489 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 11 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Harrisburg's violation count is 80% above the national average for Pennsylvania. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Chlorine Dioxide, Disinfection Byproducts, Gross Alpha, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants Found
Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Harrisburg
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VEOLIA WATER | PA7220015 | Surface Water | 110,000 | 8 |
| CAPITAL REGION WATER | PA7220049 | Surface Water | 66,540 | 28 |
| VEOLIA MECHANICSBURG | PA7210028 | Surface Water | 45,013 | 25 |
| VEOLIA WATER BETHEL | PA1230012 | Surface Water | 7,809 | 8 |
| VEOLIA WATER PA DALLAS | PA2400076 | Groundwater | 7,563 | 6 |
| VEOLIA NEWBERRY SYSTEM | PA7670061 | Groundwater | 6,480 | 0 |
| VEOLIA WATER PA SHAVERTOWN | PA2400091 | Groundwater | 3,472 | 4 |
| WONDERVIEW WATER CO | PA4190015 | Groundwater | 350 | 56 |
| VEOLIA WATER PA NOXEN | PA2660012 | Groundwater | 315 | 0 |
| SUEZ WATER KENSINGTON SYSTEM | PA7280064 | Surface Water | 204 | 55 |
| VEOLIA WATER PA HARVEYS LAKE | PA2400103 | Groundwater | 200 | 3 |
| VEOLIA WATER PA BROWN MANOR | PA2400073 | Groundwater | 91 | 4 |
| ARBOR MANOR APTS | PA7500037 | Groundwater | 76 | 264 |
| MOUNTAINDALE APARTMENTS | PA7220070 | Groundwater | 50 | 13 |
| STONEY RUN APT | PA7670128 | Groundwater | 40 | 15 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.