Pennsylvania Water Quality Report 2026
Pennsylvania tap water is use filtration based on our analysis of 9 water systems serving 2,409,284 residents. The average PurityMap score is 75.6/100 (Grade: C), which is 2.3 points below the national average.
- PFAS detected in 2 of 9 cities (22%). Forever chemicals require reverse osmosis filtration.
- 8 cities have lead at or above 5 ppb. Homes built before 1986 are at highest risk.
- 1 cities (11%) have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG) which causes scale buildup and appliance damage.
- 9 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
We recommend an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water in PFAS-affected areas of Pennsylvania. RO removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. For hard water cities, add a whole-house softener.
Moderate
Pennsylvania is 2.3 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 1.4 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG.
Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.
| Rank | City | Score | Hardness | Lead | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh | 58/100 | 3.6 GPG | 22.0 ppb | Lead (22.0 ppb) |
| 2 | Allentown | 63/100 | 8.7 GPG | 5.5 ppb | PFAS (2.2 ppt), Hard (8.7 GPG), Lead (5.5 ppb) |
| 3 | Philadelphia | 67/100 | 3.6 GPG | 9.5 ppb | PFAS (3.0 ppt), Lead (9.5 ppb) |
| 4 | Erie | 82/100 | 5.2 GPG | 4.5 ppb | Hardness 5.2 GPG, Lead 4.5 ppb |
| 5 | Reading | 82/100 | 5.5 GPG | 6.0 ppb | Lead (6.0 ppb) |
| 6 | Scranton | 82/100 | 2.8 GPG | 5.5 ppb | Lead (5.5 ppb) |
| 7 | Bethlehem | 82/100 | 4.5 GPG | 5.0 ppb | Lead (5.0 ppb) |
| 8 | Lancaster | 82/100 | 6.8 GPG | 5.5 ppb | Lead (5.5 ppb) |
| 9 | Harrisburg | 82/100 | 3.5 GPG | 6.0 ppb | Lead (6.0 ppb) |
How Pennsylvania's 9 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:
Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.
| City | Population | Score | Hardness | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1.5M | 67/100 | 3.6 GPG | PFAS, Lead |
| Pittsburgh | 306K | 58/100 | 3.6 GPG | Lead |
| Allentown | 126K | 63/100 | 8.7 GPG | PFAS, Hard, Lead |
| Reading | 95K | 82/100 | 5.5 GPG | Lead |
| Erie | 95K | 82/100 | 5.2 GPG | — |
| Scranton | 76K | 82/100 | 2.8 GPG | Lead |
| Bethlehem | 76K | 82/100 | 4.5 GPG | Lead |
| Lancaster | 59K | 82/100 | 6.8 GPG | Lead |
| Harrisburg | 50K | 82/100 | 3.5 GPG | Lead |
1 of 9 cities (11%) in Pennsylvania have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG). Allentown has the hardest at 8.7 GPG. Cities: Allentown. A water softener is recommended.
PFAS have been detected in 2 of 9 cities (22%) in Pennsylvania. Highest: Philadelphia at 3.0 ppt. Affected: Philadelphia, Allentown. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended. 1 cities have pending PFAS testing data.
8 cities in Pennsylvania have lead at or above 5 ppb. Highest: Pittsburgh at 22.0 ppb. No safe level of lead exists. Cities: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Reading, Harrisburg, Allentown, Scranton, Lancaster, Bethlehem.
Where Pennsylvania gets its drinking water, based on 9 water systems.
| Source Type | Cities | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Water | 8 | 89% |
| Mixed (Ground + Surface) | 1 | 11% |
Pennsylvania has both PFAS (2 cities) and hard water (1 cities). RO for drinking water + softener for whole house.
| # | City | Pop. | Score | Hardness | Lead | PFAS | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh | 306K | 58/100 | 3.6 GPG (Moderate) | 22.0 ppb | ❓ Pending | 130 ppm |
| 2 | Allentown | 126K | 63/100 | 8.7 GPG (Hard) | 5.5 ppb | ⚠️ Yes (2.2 ppt) | 310 ppm |
| 3 | Philadelphia | 1.5M | 67/100 | 3.6 GPG (Moderate) | 9.5 ppb | ⚠️ Yes (3.0 ppt) | 130 ppm |
| 4 | Erie | 95K | 82/100 | 5.2 GPG (Moderate) | 4.5 ppb | ✅ No | 150 ppm |
| 5 | Reading | 95K | 82/100 | 5.5 GPG (Moderate) | 6.0 ppb | ✅ No | 195 ppm |
| 6 | Scranton | 76K | 82/100 | 2.8 GPG (Soft) | 5.5 ppb | ✅ No | 95 ppm |
| 7 | Bethlehem | 76K | 82/100 | 4.5 GPG (Moderate) | 5.0 ppb | ✅ No | 160 ppm |
| 8 | Lancaster | 59K | 82/100 | 6.8 GPG (Moderate) | 5.5 ppb | ✅ No | 240 ppm |
| 9 | Harrisburg | 50K | 82/100 | 3.5 GPG (Soft) | 6.0 ppb | ✅ No | 125 ppm |
Pennsylvania has 9 utilities. Major: Philadelphia Water Department, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Allentown Bureau of Water Resources, Erie Water Works, Reading Area Water Authority.
Sources: Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, Allegheny River, Little Lehigh Creek and local wells, Lake Erie, Maiden Creek and Lake Ontelaunee.
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
- EWG Tap Water Database
- State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
- USGS regional water monitoring data
PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.
9 city water quality reports available for Pennsylvania.
Bethlehem Water Quality Report
Erie Water Quality Report
Harrisburg Water Quality Report
Lancaster Water Quality Report
Philadelphia Water Quality Report
Pittsburgh Water Quality Report
Reading Water Quality Report
Scranton Water Quality Report
Compare water quality reports across all 50 US states