Is Wilkes-Barre, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Wilkes-Barre tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 48 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Wilkes-Barre Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Wilkes-Barre Compares
Wilkes-Barre's water is 65% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 72% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #29 of 31 cities (51% below the state average of 97 PPM). Among smaller cities, Wilkes-Barre ranks #172 of 288 for hardness.
What Wilkes-Barre's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 48 PPM - Low Concern
Wilkes-Barre's water is slightly hard at 48 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Wilkes-Barre's water has TTHMs at 42.3 ppb and HAA5 at 34.8 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Wilkes-Barre's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 42.3 ppb (53% of the legal limit, but 282x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 34.8 ppb (58% of the legal limit, but 348x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 48 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 60 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 3 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Recommendations for Wilkes-Barre Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.7 mg/L chlorine, many Wilkes-Barre residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Wilkes-Barre
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request Pennsylvania American Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Wilkes-Barre's Water Supply
Water Utility: Pennsylvania American Water
Water Source: Huntsville Reservoir (Surface Water)
Population Served: 12,560
Hardness: 48 PPM (2.8 grains per gallon)
Wilkes-Barre's drinking water comes from surface sources — Huntsville Reservoir. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 13,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Pennsylvania American Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Pennsylvania American Water in Wilkes-Barre, PA, including ZIP codes:
17730, 17731, 17735, 17737, 17742, 17749, 17752, 17754, 17756, 17758, 17762, 17763, 17765, 17768, 17771, 17772, 17774, 17777, 17814, 17815, 17820, 17821, 17822, 17824, 17846, 17847, 17858, 17859, 17865, 17868, 17878, 17884, 17887, 17888, 17920, 17946, 17948, 17967, 17976, 17985, 18201, 18202, 18214, 18219, 18220, 18222, 18223, 18225, 18230, 18231, 18234, 18237, 18239, 18241, 18242, 18245, 18246, 18247, 18248, 18249, 18251, 18254, 18256, 18601, 18603, 18611, 18612, 18614, 18616, 18617, 18618, 18619, 18621, 18622, 18626, 18627, 18628, 18629, 18631, 18632, 18634, 18635, 18636, 18643, 18644, 18651, 18654, 18655, 18656, 18660, 18690, 18701, 18703, 18704, 18705, 18706, 18707, 18708, 18709, 18710, 18711, 18762, 18764, 18765, 18766, 18767, 18769, 18773, 18833, 18846
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Wilkes-Barre to Other Pennsylvania Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilkes-Barre Water
Is Wilkes-Barre tap water safe to drink?
Where does Wilkes-Barre's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Wilkes-Barre?
What are disinfection byproducts in Wilkes-Barre's water?
Why does Wilkes-Barre water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Wilkes-Barre tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Wilkes-Barre compare to the Pennsylvania average?
What water filter is best for Wilkes-Barre?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Wilkes-Barre Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 48 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Wilkes-Barre's water data.