Is York, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, York tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 115 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where York Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How York Compares
York's water is close to the national average of 138 PPM, ranking #538 out of 1000 cities tracked. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #13 of 31 cities (19% above the state average of 97 PPM). Among large cities (200k-500k), York ranks #85 of 165 for hardness.
What York's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 115 PPM - Low Concern
York's water is firmly in the moderate range at 115 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead levels deserve attention. At 9.4 ppb, York is above the ideal of zero, though below the EPA action level of 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb in November 2027 under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). The lead typically comes from aging service lines or interior plumbing, not the treatment plant. A point-of-use filter certified for lead at the kitchen faucet is a practical safeguard, especially in older homes.
What's in the Treatment Process
York's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 29.3 ppb (37% of the legal limit, but 196x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 22.3 ppb (37% of the legal limit, but 223x 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.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.0924 ppb, which is 4.6x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. 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) | 115 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 207 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 | 9.4 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.9 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 3.52 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for York Homes
How to Test Your Water in York
Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so York's city-wide average of 9.4 ppb may not match your tap. Testing your specific faucet is the only way to know. Run cold water for 30 seconds before collecting a sample.
Free option: Request York Water Company's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About York's Water Supply
Water Utility: York Water Company
Water Source: Lake Williams & Lake Redman (Surface Water)
Population Served: 206,762
Hardness: 115 PPM (6.7 grains per gallon)
York's drinking water comes from surface sources — Lake Williams & Lake Redman. 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 207,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request York Water Company'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 York Water Company in York, PA, including ZIP codes:
17022, 17309, 17311, 17312, 17313, 17315, 17317, 17318, 17322, 17342, 17345, 17347, 17349, 17355, 17356, 17358, 17360, 17361, 17363, 17364, 17366, 17368, 17370, 17371, 17401, 17402, 17403, 17404, 17405, 17406, 17407, 17408, 17502, 17547, 17550, 17570, 21105
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare York to Other Pennsylvania Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About York Water
Is York tap water safe to drink?
Where does York's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in York?
What water filter is best for York?
What is the hardness of York water in grains per gallon?
Is York water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in York's water?
Is chromium-6 in York's water?
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 York Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 115 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on York's water data.