Is New Ringgold, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
75.8/100
waterverge.com New Ringgold, PA — Water Quality Report
New Ringgold's drinking water received a grade of B (75.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 546 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 37 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.
What to know about New Ringgold's water
New Ringgold ranks #140 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
New Ringgold 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, New Ringgold may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Ringgold, PA water safe to drink?
New Ringgold's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (75.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 546 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New Ringgold
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Ringgold's water quality assessment. Grade: B (75.8/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Public Notice, Groundwater Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4618). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3356). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for New Ringgold's water supply.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
New Ringgold's water system has 37 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Schuylkill County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Schuylkill River At Landingville, Little Schuylkill River At Tamaqua.
Where does New Ringgold's water come from?
New Ringgold's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 546 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Schuylkill River At Landingville (river), Little Schuylkill River At Tamaqua (river).
What New Ringgold residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in New Ringgold'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.
New Ringgold'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of New Ringgold
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near New Ringgold, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 9 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
SHALMET CORP ORWIGSBURG, PA17961 | Nickel | 9 | 5.1 mi |
DFA DAIRY BRANDS FLUID LLC DBA LEHIGH VALLEY DAIRY FARMS SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, PA17972 | — | — | 9.3 mi |
COPPERHEAD CHEMICAL CO INC TAMAQUA, PA18252 | — | — | 3.7 mi |
SILBERLINE MANUFACTURING CO INC TAMAQUA, PA18252 | — | — | 9.6 mi |
ENGINEERED MATERIALS SOLUTIONS HAMBURG FACILITY HAMBURG, PA19526 | — | — | 8.5 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of New Ringgold
Superfund sites nearby
Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
- PRICE BATTERY LEAD SMELTER9.7 mi
- EASTERN DIVERSIFIED METALS9.7 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtSchuylkill 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
Schuylkill County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in New Ringgold'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. | 1.79 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Copper level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 1.790 mg/L (1997)
EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
See how New Ringgold compares by contaminant
Explore where New Ringgold ranks among all Pennsylvania cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Ringgold's water comes from
New Ringgold'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 546 people through 2 water systems.
Water bodies near New Ringgold
New Ringgold is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving New Ringgold
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE PINES AT WEST PENN | PA3540061 | 466 | GW |
| RETREAT VILLAGE | PA3540058 | 80 | GW |
How New Ringgold compares
Full Pennsylvania rankings →New Ringgold's score of 75.8/100 is above the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Pennsylvania rankings →About New Ringgold, PA
Wikipedia →New Ringgold is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 253 at the time of the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Ringgold's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Schuylkill
Frequently asked questions
Is New Ringgold, PA tap water safe to drink?
New Ringgold's water quality earned a grade of B (75.8/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #140 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in New Ringgold's water?
37 violations are on record.
How is New Ringgold'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 New Ringgold?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Ringgold's water come from?
New Ringgold's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 546 residents.
What health violations has New Ringgold's water system had?
New Ringgold has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2026. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 12 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Ringgold's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Ringgold 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 37 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 New Ringgold's water compare to other cities?
New Ringgold ranks #140 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 75% of state cities) and #9492 out of 15744 cities nationally (40th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.