Is Lake Harmony, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded C- — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
58.2/100
waterverge.com Lake Harmony, PA — Water Quality Report
Lake Harmony's drinking water received a grade of C- (58.2 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 500 residents using groundwater.
Lead data is not currently available for this system. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 190 violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 24 remain unresolved.
What to know about Lake Harmony's water
Lake Harmony ranks #276 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Lake Harmony relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Lake Harmony may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 21 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Lake Harmony, PA water safe to drink?
Lake Harmony's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (58.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 500 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Lake Harmony
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lake Harmony's water quality assessment. Grade: C- (58.2/100).
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Radium-226.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule, TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3356). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3340). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Lake Harmony's water supply.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Lake Harmony's water system has 190 total violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 24 remain unresolved. 21 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Carbon County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Lehigh River At Stoddartsville, Tunkhannock Creek Near Long Pond, Tobyhanna Creek Near Blakeslee, Francis E. Walter Reservoir Near White Haven, Lehigh R Bl Francis E Walter Res Nr White Haven.
Where does Lake Harmony's water come from?
Lake Harmony's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 500 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Lehigh River At Stoddartsville (river), Tunkhannock Creek Near Long Pond (river), Tobyhanna Creek Near Blakeslee (river), Francis E. Walter Reservoir Near White Haven (lake), Lehigh R Bl Francis E Walter Res Nr White Haven (river).
What Lake Harmony residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Lake Harmony's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Lake Harmony's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtCarbon County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Carbon County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Lake Harmony's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 3.82 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Copper level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 3.820 mg/L (2019)
EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
See how Lake Harmony compares by contaminant
Explore where Lake Harmony ranks among all Pennsylvania cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Lake Harmony's water comes from
Lake Harmony's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 500 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Lake Harmony
Lake Harmony is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Lake Harmony
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| S R WATER | PA3130053 | 500 | GW |
How Lake Harmony compares
Full Pennsylvania rankings →Lake Harmony's score of 58.2/100 is above the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Pennsylvania rankings →Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Lake Harmony's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Carbon
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Harmony, PA tap water safe to drink?
Lake Harmony's water quality earned a grade of C- (58.2/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #276 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in Lake Harmony's water?
190 violations are on record.
How is Lake Harmony's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Lake Harmony?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Lake Harmony's water come from?
Lake Harmony's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 500 residents.
What health violations has Lake Harmony's water system had?
Lake Harmony has 10 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 24 violations remain unresolved.
Is Lake Harmony's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Lake Harmony uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 190 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Lake Harmony's water compare to other cities?
Lake Harmony ranks #276 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 51% of state cities) and #12303 out of 15744 cities nationally (22th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Lake Harmony's small water system affect quality?
Lake Harmony's system serves approximately 500 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 190 violations on record.