Is Royalton, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B — but Lead was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
75/100
waterverge.com Royalton, PA — Water Quality Report
Royalton's drinking water received a grade of B (75 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,083 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 24.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 17 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
What to know about Royalton's water
Royalton ranks #145 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Royalton purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water.
As a small community water system, Royalton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Royalton, PA water safe to drink?
Royalton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (75/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,083 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Royalton
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Royalton's water quality assessment. Grade: B (75/100).
Contaminants: TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4618). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4099). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Royalton's water supply.
Exceeds EPA action level. Lead service line replacement and point-of-use filtration recommended.
Violation history
Royalton's water system has 17 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Dauphin County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1976. 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 Paxton Creek Near Glenwood, Swatara Creek Near Palmyra, Swatara Creek Near Hershey, Swatara Creek At Middletown, Fishing Creek At Goldsboro.
Where does Royalton's water come from?
Royalton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,083 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Paxton Creek Near Glenwood (river), Swatara Creek Near Palmyra (river), Swatara Creek Near Hershey (river), Swatara Creek At Middletown (river), Fishing Creek At Goldsboro (river).
What Royalton residents can do
Recommended: NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Royalton'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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Royalton'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 Royalton
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Royalton, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 1,339 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS STEELTON LLC STEELTON, PA17113 | Manganese compounds | 1,084 | 6.7 mi |
HIGHSPIRE TERMINALS - DE LLC/HIGHSPIRE TERMINAL MIDDLETOWN, PA17057 | Xylene (mixed isomers) | 179 | 4.3 mi |
DURA-BOND PIPE LLC STEELTON, PA17113 | Manganese | 49 | 4.5 mi |
BRUNNER ISLAND STEAM ELECTRIC STATION YORK HAVEN, PA17370 | Ammonia | 27 | 5.3 mi |
MACK TRUCKS INC REMANUFACTURING CENTER MIDDLETOWN, PA17057 | Lead | 0 | 3.7 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of Royalton
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.
- ELIZABETHTOWN LANDFILL7.1 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtDauphin 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
Dauphin County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1976. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Royalton's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 24.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Royalton compares by contaminant
Explore where Royalton ranks among all Pennsylvania cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Royalton's water comes from
Royalton purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Royalton's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,083 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Royalton
Royalton is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Royalton
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROYALTON BORO | PA7220045 | 1,083 | GWP |
How Royalton compares
Full Pennsylvania rankings →Royalton's score of 75/100 is above the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Pennsylvania rankings →About Royalton, PA
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Royalton's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Dauphin
Frequently asked questions
Is Royalton, PA tap water safe to drink?
Royalton's water quality earned a grade of B (75/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #145 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.
What contaminants are in Royalton's water?
Lead was measured at 24.0 ppb (90th percentile). 17 violations are on record.
How is Royalton'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 Royalton?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Royalton's water come from?
Royalton's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,083 residents.
What health violations has Royalton's water system had?
Royalton has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.
Is Royalton's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Royalton 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 17 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 Royalton's water compare to other cities?
Royalton ranks #145 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 74% of state cities) and #9706 out of 15744 cities nationally (38th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Royalton's small water system affect quality?
Royalton's system serves approximately 1,083 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 17 violations on record.