WaterVerge

Is Waymart, 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 ↓

845 residents served 1 water system PWSID: MI0005575
Overall Score
78.8 / 100
Violations
7 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#102 of 560 in Pennsylvania Top 54% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
78.8/100
waterverge.com
B 78.8/100

Waymart, PA — Water Quality Report

Waymart's drinking water received a grade of B (78.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 845 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 9 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Waymart's water

Waymart ranks #102 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Waymart 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, Waymart may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
78.8 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40.8/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
16/20
B
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Waymart, PA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Waymart's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (78.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 845 residents using groundwater (wells).

7
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Waymart

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Waymart's water quality assessment. Grade: B (78.8/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3356). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
TROPICAL STORM LEE

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4030). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Waymart's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 1.35 mg/L Limit: 1.3 mg/L (EPA Action Level)

Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.

Violation history

Waymart's water system has 9 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTMONOtherMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Aug 2021 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Dec 2018 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Oct 2018 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Wayne County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1975. 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 West Branch Lackawaxen River Near Aldenville, Prompton Reservoir At Prompton, West Branch Lackawaxen River At Prompton, Dyberry Creek At Tanners Falls Near Dyberry, General Edgar Jadwin Reservoir Near Honesdale.

HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3356
TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA DR-4030
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-4025

Where does Waymart's water come from?

Waymart's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 845 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include West Branch Lackawaxen River Near Aldenville (river), Prompton Reservoir At Prompton (lake), West Branch Lackawaxen River At Prompton (river), Dyberry Creek At Tanners Falls Near Dyberry (river), General Edgar Jadwin Reservoir Near Honesdale (lake).

What Waymart residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Waymart's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Waymart'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
1.35 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +4% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Compliance Record

Violation summary

9
Total violations
0
Health-based
7
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

9 Total
7 Active
0 Health-based
2 Resolved
Violations by category
Lead and Copper Rule
4
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
1
Revised Total Coliform Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2018 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2018 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2018 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2017 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Aug 2021 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Aug 2021
Jan 1999 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1999
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Waymart

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Waymart, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
FXI INC. - ARCHBALD
Plastics and Rubber · FXI INC
ARCHBALD, PA18403
9.8 mi
GENTEX CORP
Transportation Equipment · GENTEX CORP
SIMPSON, PA18407
6.8 mi
NOVAE LLC
Transportation Equipment · NOVAE LLC
CARBONDALE, PA18407
4.8 mi
US PENITENTIARY CANAAN
Other · US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WAYMART, PA18472
0.3 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Oct 2012
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Wayne County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #3356
Sep 2011
TROPICAL STORM LEE
Flood FEMA #4030
Sep 2011
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #4025
Aug 2011
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #3339
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA #3235
Sep 2004
TROPICAL DEPRESSION IVAN
Hurricane FEMA #1557

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Waymart's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🔧
For Copper
Reverse Osmosis or KDF Filter
Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 1.35 1.3 mg/L Inorganic Over Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level (90th percentile)

Latest reading: 0.0 ppb (2024)

EPA action level: 15 ppb

Copper level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
Copper has decreased by 0.295 mg/L from 1995 (1.650 mg/L) to 1999 (1.355 mg/L).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
845
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Waymart's water comes from

Groundwater

Waymart'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 845 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Waymart

Waymart is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

West Branch Lackawaxen River Near Aldenville
river
Prompton Reservoir At Prompton
lake
West Branch Lackawaxen River At Prompton
river
Dyberry Creek At Tanners Falls Near Dyberry
river
General Edgar Jadwin Reservoir Near Honesdale
lake
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Waymart

System Name PWSID Population Source
PRESQUE ISLE HARBOR WATER CO. MI0005575 845 GW
Regional Comparison

How Waymart compares

Full Pennsylvania rankings →

Waymart's score of 78.8/100 is above the average of 49/100 among major Pennsylvania cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Waymart (this city)
78.8
Bryn Mawr
34.2
Mcmurray
86.8
Greensburg
46.7
Pennsylvania avg
49
City Profile

About Waymart, PA

Wikipedia →

Waymart is a borough in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, United States. Waymart is a small town in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania known for its railroading history, Coal Country roots, and outdoor recreation. As of the 2020 census, Waymart had a population of 1,297.

Economic Profile
$50,568
Median Income
$176,658
Median Home Value
$857/mo
Median Rent
6%
Unemployment
Community
38
Median Age
176
People / sq mi
12.2%
College Educated
55.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Waymart, PA tap water safe to drink?

Waymart's water quality earned a grade of B (78.8/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #102 out of 560 cities tested in Pennsylvania.

What contaminants are in Waymart's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 9 violations are on record.

How is Waymart'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 Waymart?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Waymart's water come from?

Waymart's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 845 residents.

Is Waymart's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Waymart 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 9 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 Waymart's water compare to other cities?

Waymart ranks #102 out of 560 cities in Pennsylvania (better than 82% of state cities) and #8520 out of 15744 cities nationally (46th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Waymart's small water system affect quality?

Waymart's system serves approximately 845 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 9 violations on record.