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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 17521 Water Quality & Testing Report

Elm, PA · Lancaster County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 17521 (Elm, PA)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 17521 (Elm, PA) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (40/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by LITITZ BORO, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 17521

Tap water in ZIP code 17521 (Elm, PA) is distributed by LITITZ BORO (EPA ID: PA7360126), serving approximately 9,397 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 40/100.

Water System

LITITZ BORO

EPA ID: PA7360126

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

9,397 residents

County

Lancaster County County, Pennsylvania

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Lead Levels in ZIP 17521

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 17521. Contact LITITZ BORO to request lead testing results.
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Soft2.9 GPG · 49 mg/L

Water in ZIP 17521 is classified as Soft (49 mg/L / 2.9 GPG). Soft water produces abundant soap lather, prevents scale buildup in water heaters, and does not leave spots on dishes.

Recommendation: No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

2.9 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

49 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Very Low

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: LITITZ BORO · PWSID: PA7360126

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

LITITZ BORO has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)
0
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Unknown
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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 17521 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 17521

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 17521 served by LITITZ BORO can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in PA for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 17521 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact LITITZ BORO to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 17521 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 17521?+
Tap water in 17521 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 17521 (Elm, PA)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 17521, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in PA. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 17521?+
Tap water in 17521 is classified as Soft with an estimated mineral hardness of 49 mg/L (2.9 GPG). No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Should I test private well water in 17521?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 17521 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 17521 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 17521. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 17521?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 17521. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 17521?+
Tap water in ZIP code 17521 is provided by LITITZ BORO (EPA ID: PA7360126), serving approximately 9,397 residents.
What water filter should I use in 17521?+
Based on water metrics for 17521, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 17521 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by LITITZ BORO. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →