Tap Water Results

Is Swatara, PA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Veolia Water. 3 PFAS were detected below the limits.

5 public water systems serve parts of Swatara. The largest, Veolia Water, serves 110,000 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Veolia Water

110,000 people · Surface water · EPA ID PA7220015

Buys treated water from Pennsylvania American Water – West.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 2.1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Sep 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Veolia Water results

Across Pennsylvania, 85 of 360 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 76 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Pennsylvania results.

Swatara homes and lead pipes

58%
of homes built before 1980 (Pennsylvania 67%, US 50%)
13%
built before 1950 (Pennsylvania 32%)
30%
of households rent (Pennsylvania 31%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Swatara township (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Which system serves your ZIP code

Based on the ZIP codes each system reported serving. Boundaries don't follow ZIP lines exactly, so your water bill is the final word.

SystemZIP codes in Swatara
Veolia Water
110,000 people
17111
Pennsylvania American Water – Steelton
6,428 people
17113

Other water systems serving Swatara

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Harrisburg 5 mi
Capital Region Water
Capital Region WaterNone above limits0 ppb
Lower Paxton 5 mi
Capital Region Water
Capital Region WaterNone above limits0 ppb
Susquehanna 6 mi
Veolia Water
Veolia WaterNone above limits2.1 ppb
Derry 8 mi
Pennsylvania American Water
Pennsylvania American WaterNone above limits3 ppb
York 24 mi
York Water Company
York Water CompanyNone above limits3 ppb
East Hempfield 25 mi
East Hempfield Water Authority
East Hempfield Water AuthorityAbove limit8 ppb

Questions

Is Swatara tap water safe to drink?

Veolia Water has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Swatara, PA?

5 public water systems serve parts of Swatara. The largest is Veolia Water (110,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Swatara tap water have PFAS?

Veolia Water had 3 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Swatara homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 58% of Swatara homes as built before 1980 (Pennsylvania: 67%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Veolia Water's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.