Is Harrisburg Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Short answer: In the 2023–2025 records we hold for Harrisburg, PFOS had a sample above a 2024 EPA limit (not a violation: the limit is judged on a yearly average, due 2029), and 2 health-based violations are on record (EPA SDWIS). 1 more is detected with no federal limit, and everything else measured is within its reference or not detected. 5 substances were detected and 26 were tested and not detected. The water is from Town of Harrisburg, serving 20,549 residents.
- Year 2026
- Utility Town of Harrisburg
- Coverage 31 records
- Updated 2026-10-15
Where Harrisburg’s water comes from
- Utility
- Town of Harrisburg
- Water system
- HARRISBURG, TOWN OF · NC0113025
- Source water
- Surface water
- Disinfectant
- not on record
- Population served
- 20,549
- Reporting period
- Sampled 2023–2025
- Monitoring coverage
- 31 records · 3 of 4 groups measured
EPA lists this system for the city. Your water bill or annual water quality report names your actual supplier. Source: EPA SDWIS 2026Q2.
- HARRISBURG, TOWN OFThis reportNC0113025 · 20,549 served
- 1Source
Surface water
- 2Treatment
The treatment details are not on record.
- 3Distribution
Mains, then your building’s service line.
- 4Your tap
Plumbing inside the building is outside this record.
Harrisburg water in four numbers
PFOS had a sample above a 2024 EPA limit (not a violation: the limit is judged on a yearly average, due 2029); 1 more is detected with no federal limit, and everything else measured is within its reference or not detected.
5 detected results, by distance from their limit
Each bar runs to the named reference; the tick marks it. Open a row for five layers: measured, compared, meaning, where it matters, what to do.Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)Above EPA's 2024 limit (one sample) · Federal MCL4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)10.3ng/L
10.3 ng/L, sampled 2025-01-13 to 2025-10-15. EPA UCMR 5.
4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024): a legal limit. That limit is judged on a yearly average, and water systems have until 2029 to meet it, so a single sample is not a violation. EPA health goal (MCLG): 0.
One EPA sample measured 10.3 ng/L, above the 4 ng/L limit EPA set in 2024. That limit is judged on a yearly average, and water systems have until 2029 to meet it, so a single sample is not a violation.
Comes with the source water; home plumbing does not add it.
Test your own tap first. To reduce it: Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (PFOA/PFOS)).
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)Within reference · Federal MCL10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)4.9ng/L
4.9 ng/L, sampled 2025-01-13 to 2025-10-15. EPA UCMR 5.
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024): a legal limit. That limit is judged on a yearly average, and water systems have until 2029 to meet it.
Detected at up to 4.9 ng/L (below the 10 ng/L limit EPA set in 2024). That limit is judged on a yearly average, and water systems have until 2029 to meet it.
Comes with the source water; home plumbing does not add it.
Test your own tap first. To reduce it: Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFHxS named on the listing).
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)Within reference · Screening level2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)4.2ng/L
4.2 ng/L, sampled 2025-01-13 to 2025-10-15. EPA UCMR 5.
2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit).
Detected at up to 4.2 ng/L (below the 2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory; a screening level, not a legal limit).
Comes with the source water; home plumbing does not add it.
Test your own tap first. To reduce it: Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFBS named on the listing).
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)Within reference · State limit400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)3.3ng/L
3.3 ng/L, sampled 2025-01-13 to 2025-10-15. EPA UCMR 5.
400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state): a state limit.
Detected at up to 3.3 ng/L (below the 400,000 ng/L historical comparison reference).
Comes with the source water; home plumbing does not add it.
Test your own tap first. To reduce it: Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFHxA named on the listing).
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)Detected · no limit · No federal limitNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency4.1ng/L
4.1 ng/L, sampled 2025-01-13 to 2025-10-15. EPA UCMR 5.
No federal limit is on record for it.
Detected at up to 4.1 ng/L. No federal or state limit exists for this substance; shown for transparency, not graded.
Comes with the source water; home plumbing does not add it.
Test your own tap first. To reduce it: Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFPeA named on the listing).
26 others tested, none detectedshow
- 11Cl-PF3OUdS
- 8:2 FTS
- 4:2 FTS
- 6:2 FTS
- ADONA
- 9Cl-PF3ONS
- HFPO-DA (GenX)
- Lead (90th percentile)
- Lithium
- NEtFOSAA
- NMeFOSAA
- NFDHA
- PFEESA
- PFMPA
- PFMBA
- PFBA
- PFDA
- PFDoA
- PFHpS
- PFHpA
- PFNA
- PFOA
- PFPeS
- PFTA
- PFTrDA
- PFUnA
HARRISBURG, TOWN OF (EPA PWSID NC0113025) delivers surface water to 20,549 residents. This report reflects 29 individual PFAS result(s) from the source UCMR5 observations and the latest Lead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile result. Water hardness and disinfectant type are pending the utility's own annual report.
2health-based violations in the last 10 years
From EPA SDWIS. Counted once per contaminant per year, as in the Track record score. All 3 EPA filings are listed below.
No result is not a pass. Your utility's annual water quality report may list them, and a certified lab test covers your own tap.
Health-based violations, last 10 years
Every filing is listed; the Track record score counts at most one per contaminant per year.
- TTHM
Resolved
- TTHMMCL
to Resolved
- TTHMMCL
to Resolved
- TTHMMCL
to Resolved
Your tap can differ from the city record
The record describes water leaving treatment and samples across the system. Pipes, solder and fixtures inside a building can add lead the record can’t see, especially in older buildings with lead service lines.
Test your water- CityTreated water
Measured in this report
- MainsDistribution network
Sampled across the system
- BuildingService line and plumbing
Not in this record
- TapYour glass
Only a tap test measures it
Three steps from a record to your glass
- 01Test
Know what comes from your tap, starting with a first-draw lead sample.
- 02Match
Compare each result with its named reference in our test reader.
- 03Treat
Choose a technology certified for what your test found.
What can reduce what was found here
Finding → technology → certification → product, in that order. The reference type carries the meaning; there is no severity score.| Finding | Reference type | Technology | Certification to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)10.3 ng/L | Federal MCL | Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS | NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (PFOA/PFOS) |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)4.9 ng/L | Federal MCL | Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS | NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFHxS named on the listing |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)4.2 ng/L | Screening level | Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS | NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFBS named on the listing |
| Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)3.3 ng/L | State limit | Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS | NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFHxA named on the listing |
| Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)4.1 ng/L | No federal limit | Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS | NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFPeA named on the listing |
Filters for the PFAS found in Harrisburg water
Affiliate linksPurityMap earns a commission from these links. "Best choice" and "Budget pick" go to certified products first; commission never decides them. As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure★ Best choice: Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage Under-Sink Filter (AQ-5200), certified for PFOS.
| Pick | Product | Details and price | Certification | Why it’s listed | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Best choice | Under-sinkAquasana Claryum 2-Stage Under-Sink Filter (AQ-5200) | TreatsPFOSPrice$$ | Certified for PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price on Amazon |
| Also good | Under-sinkAquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under-Sink Filter (AQ-6300M) | TreatsPFOSPrice$$ | Certified for PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Aquasana |
| Also good | CountertopAquasana Clean Water Machine Countertop Filter (AQ-CWM2) | TreatsPFOSPrice$$ | Certified for PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Aquasana |
See all 12 drinking-water options for PFAS
| Pick | Product | Details and price | Certification | Why it’s listed | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Also good | Reverse osmosisSmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis | TreatsPFOSTechnologyReverse osmosisPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53 (includes P473), WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Aquasana |
| Also good | Under-sinkWaterdrop G3P600 Tankless Reverse-Osmosis System | TreatsPFOSPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Waterdrop |
| Also good | Under-sinkWaterdrop G3P800 Tankless Reverse-Osmosis System | TreatsPFOSPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Waterdrop |
| Also good | CountertopAquaTru Carafe Countertop Reverse-Osmosis Purifier (AT100) | TreatsPFOSPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price on Amazon |
| Also good | CountertopAquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse-Osmosis Purifier (AT2000) | TreatsPFOSPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price on Amazon |
| Also good | CountertopPatriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System | TreatsPFOSPrice$$ | Certified for PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, NSF, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price on Amazon |
| Also good | Reverse osmosisiSpring RCC7AK Alkaline Reverse Osmosis SystemUse code REFISPRING at checkout: 10% off your first iSpring order. | TechnologyReverse osmosisPrice$$ | Brand lab-tested for PFAS, not independently certified for PFOS, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), PFHxS and Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | See the evidence | Check price at iSpring |
| Also good | Reverse osmosisiSpring RO5004F Tankless Reverse Osmosis System with UVUse code REFISPRING at checkout: 10% off your first iSpring order. | TechnologyReverse osmosisPrice$$$ | Brand lab-tested for PFAS, not independently certified for PFOS, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), PFHxS and Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | See the evidence | Check price at iSpring |
| Also good | Reverse osmosisWaterdrop X12 Reverse Osmosis System | TechnologyReverse osmosisPrice$$$$ | Brand lab-tested for PFAS, not independently certified for PFOS, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), PFHxS and Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | See the evidence | Check price at Waterdrop |
★ Best choice: HealthShield™, certified for PFOS and PFHxS.
| Pick | Product | Details and price | Certification | Why it’s listed | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Best choice | Whole-houseHealthShield™ | TreatsPFOS and PFHxSPrice$$$$ | Certified for PFOS and PFHxS (NSF/ANSI 53, WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOS and PFHxS, found in Harrisburg’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Aquasana |
| $ Budget pick | Whole-houseiSpring WGB32B-PFKS PFAS & Heavy Metals Whole House FilterUse code REFISPRING at checkout: 10% off your first iSpring order. | Price$$$ | Brand lab-tested for PFAS, not independently certified for PFOS, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), PFHxS and Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | See the evidence | Check price at iSpring |
PurityMap earns a commission from these links. "Best choice" and "Budget pick" go to certified products first; commission never decides them. As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
Choose your situation
Older buildings may have lead service lines, solder or fixtures. Lead is not in Harrisburg’s published record, so only a tap test tells you. Test first-draw water, then filter if needed.
5 of 29 PFAS tested were detected in Harrisburg’s record (PFOS 10.3 ng/L, PFHxS 4.9 ng/L and PFBS 4.2 ng/L, and more); 1 above its limit. If PFAS matters to you, a filter certification names each compound it covers.
Most utilities keep chlorine or chloramine in the pipes. A carbon filter certified for taste and odor reduces either; your utility can tell you which it uses.
Your utility’s annual water quality report usually lists hardness; a test strip also measures it.
Reverse osmosis reduces many dissolved contaminants, including lead and minerals, at a single faucet, with some water sent to drain.
Harrisburg tap water FAQ
Get one email when Harrisburg’s record changes.
One email when a new sampling round is published, a result moves above or below its reference, or the system's score changes.Is Harrisburg tap water safe to drink?
PurityMap does not give a safe/unsafe verdict; it shows what the public records measured. For Harrisburg, PFOS 10.3 ng/L was measured in one EPA sample, above the 4 ng/L limit EPA set in 2024 (not a violation: the limit is judged on a yearly average, due 2029). HARRISBURG, TOWN OF (PWSID NC0113025) has a Purity Score of 55/100 (confidence: moderate), assessed at the water-system level and computed only from contaminants that were measured. Water can change in your own pipes, so a certified test is the only way to know what comes out of your tap. What we found →
Who provides tap water in Harrisburg?
HARRISBURG, TOWN OF (PWS ID NC0113025) is the public water system on record for Harrisburg, North Carolina, serving about 20,549 people. Confirm the utility on your water bill before acting on a specific finding. Water utility →
Where does Harrisburg get its drinking water?
Surface water (primary source of record in EPA SDWIS). Water utility →
Are PFAS "forever chemicals" in Harrisburg's water?
Yes. In EPA's UCMR 5 testing (2025-01-13 to 2025-10-15), PFOS was measured at 10.3 ng/L in one EPA sample, above the 4 ng/L limit EPA set in 2024. That limit is judged on a yearly average, and water systems have until 2029 to meet it, so a single sample is not a violation. PFBS (4.2 ng/L, below the 2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory), PFHxA (3.3 ng/L, below the 400,000 ng/L state limit) and PFHxS (4.9 ng/L, below the 10 ng/L federal limit) were also detected. PFPeA (4.1 ng/L) was also detected; it has no federal or state limit. Reverse osmosis and filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA/PFOS reduce them at the tap. What we found →
Is there lead in Harrisburg's tap water?
Lead is not in Harrisburg's current published record. Lead usually enters from a building's own pipes and fixtures, so a certified home test is the way to know yours. Your household →
What does the latest Harrisburg water report show?
PurityMap's current record for Harrisburg holds 31 findings: 1 above a reference, 3 detected within the reference, 1 detected with no limit and 26 not detected. Each finding links to its dated public record; a parameter that was never monitored is shown as pending, not as a pass. Records →
31 records, each traceable
- EPA UCMR 5
- EPA SDWIS (Lead & Copper Rule)
UCMR5 Analytical Results
UCMR5 Analytical Results: HARRISBURG, TOWN OF (NC0113025)
US EPA
State SDWIS Compliance Record
Lead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: HARRISBURG, TOWN OF (NC0113025)
US EPA SDWIS
Methodology: how we analyze water. Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the PurityMap Editorial Team before publication.
How PurityMap reads Harrisburg’s water
- 01Source data
EPA SDWIS, EPA UCMR 5 and utility reports, each dated and linked.
- 02Normalize
Units converted to one basis; a non-detect kept distinct from zero.
- 03Classify
Each result tagged by reference type: MCL, action level, screening level or aesthetic.
- 04Compare to the named reference
Every value sits against its own reference, never a blended one.
- 05Score
Measured subjects summarised at the water-system level; an open health-based violation caps the score.
- 06Match treatment
Treatment is matched to what was found; a product is called certified only when its current certification names it.
What the Purity Score means: a summary of this water system’s published record, capped while a health-based violation is open. It is not a test of any tap. HARRISBURG, TOWN OF · PWSID NC0113025 · Purity Score 55/100 (Fair) · Confidence: moderate · Assessed at the water-system level
Full methodology →Something off with your water's smell, color or taste?
Start with the hot-or-cold tap check. Where Town of Harrisburg reported something related, it's shown below.
- Rotten-egg smell
- Cloudy or milky water
- Chlorine smell
- Brown or yellow water
- Metallic taste
Lead at Town of Harrisburg: not detected (90th percentile, 2023–2025 monitoring period). Lead has no taste, so a taste neither shows nor rules it out.