Lithium Contamination

Lithium in Pennsylvania Drinking Water

Ranked by max lithium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 5 data (2023–2025) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Detected

100%

% Detected

41.8 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

487

Health Violations

Analysis

Lithium in Pennsylvania: what the data shows

Pennsylvania has 83 cities with lithium data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program (2023–2025). Lithium was detected in 83 of those cities. There is currently no federal MCL or health advisory for lithium — the state average max detected level is 41.8 µg/L. Nationally, lithium is detected in roughly 28% of sampled water systems. Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in arid western states, and is concentrated in some surface waters near industrial discharge or geothermal sources. UCMR 5 added lithium monitoring in 2023, providing the first systematic national snapshot of public-water lithium levels. At therapeutic doses (administered as a medication), lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Chronic low-dose exposure from drinking water has been associated in some studies with effects on thyroid function and possibly mood. The most protective state guidance value is around 60 µg/L. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange are effective removal methods.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL or HA

Pennsylvania

100%

83 of 83 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

2808 of 2808 cities

City Map

Lithium data across Pennsylvania

Each dot is a city with UCMR 5 lithium testing data. Detected cities are shown — there is no federal limit, though some states use 60 µg/L as a screening level. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lithium level in Pennsylvania

Highest Lithium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Pennsylvania cities ranked by lithium level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	White Haven	702.0 µg/L	Detected	44	F
2	Wilkes Barre	324.0 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
3	Valley View	191.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
4	Tunkhannock	153.0 µg/L	Detected	21	F
5	Rockwood	98.0 µg/L	Detected	0	C
6	Lake Ariel	96.0 µg/L	Detected	66	D
7	Quakertown	80.4 µg/L	Detected	12	F
8	Honesdale	77.3 µg/L	Detected	41	F
9	Olyphant	59.2 µg/L	Detected	71	F
10	Dover	58.8 µg/L	Detected	16	F
11	Meshoppen	55.1 µg/L	Detected	2	F
12	Schwenksville	45.7 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
13	Williamsport	45.6 µg/L	Detected	19	F
14	Bryn Mawr	45.4 µg/L	Detected	36	F
15	Spring City	45.2 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
16	Coudersport	45.1 µg/L	Detected	3	F
17	Seneca	44.6 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
18	York	43.2 µg/L	Detected	34	F
19	Mechanicsburg	42.5 µg/L	Detected	13	F
20	Millersburg	42.4 µg/L	Detected	2	B
21	Sharon	40.1 µg/L	Detected	26	F
22	Harrisburg	38.2 µg/L	Detected	26	F
23	Gettysburg	37.2 µg/L	Detected	37	F
24	Trappe	37.0 µg/L	Detected	7	B-
25	Lords Valley	33.8 µg/L	Detected	10	F
26	Telford	30.7 µg/L	Detected	5	B
27	Slippery Rock	29.8 µg/L	Detected	8	F
28	Spinnerstown	27.3 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
29	New Holland	26.6 µg/L	Detected	11	C
30	Denver	25.7 µg/L	Detected	4	C-
31	Dallas	24.6 µg/L	Detected	2	F
32	Norristown	24.5 µg/L	Detected	23	F
33	Middletown	23.8 µg/L	Detected	4	C-
34	Lansdale	23.6 µg/L	Detected	22	F
35	New Castle	23.0 µg/L	Detected	12	F
36	Sellersville	22.7 µg/L	Detected	9	F
37	Ambler	22.4 µg/L	Detected	4	F
38	East Stroudsburg	22.2 µg/L	Detected	74	F
39	New Oxford	21.8 µg/L	Detected	9	B-
40	Bushkill	20.7 µg/L	Detected	9	F
41	North Wales	20.6 µg/L	Detected	22	F
42	Grove City	19.9 µg/L	Detected	4	C+
43	East Greenville	19.9 µg/L	Detected	9	F
44	Blandon	19.9 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
45	Reading	19.7 µg/L	Detected	91	F
46	Windber	19.7 µg/L	Detected	0	B-
47	Mcmurray	19.6 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
48	Tobyhanna	19.4 µg/L	Detected	10	F
49	Richboro	19.2 µg/L	Detected	2	F
50	St Thomas	19.0 µg/L	Detected	6	B
51	Hastings	18.5 µg/L	Detected	0	B
52	Elizabethtown	16.8 µg/L	Detected	87	F
53	Northern Cambria	16.7 µg/L	Detected	1	D
54	Wellsboro	15.9 µg/L	Detected	12	D
55	Mcadoo	15.9 µg/L	Detected	4	B
56	Uniontown	15.7 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
57	Doylestown	15.1 µg/L	Detected	4	D
58	Mcmurry	15.1 µg/L	Detected	3	A
59	Clearfield	14.5 µg/L	Detected	3	A-
60	Selinsgrove	14.3 µg/L	Detected	4	F
61	Horsham	13.9 µg/L	Detected	1	F
62	Somerset	13.7 µg/L	Detected	10	F
63	Portage	13.5 µg/L	Detected	7	F
64	Indian Head	13.2 µg/L	Detected	0	D
65	Brookville	13.1 µg/L	Detected	3	A-
66	Bath	12.9 µg/L	Detected	4	F
67	Buck Hill Falls	12.9 µg/L	Detected	2	B
68	Columbia	12.8 µg/L	Detected	46	F
69	Newmanstown	12.0 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
70	Hummelstown	11.4 µg/L	Detected	35	C+
71	Slatington	11.2 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
72	Oakmont	11.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
73	Pipersville	10.7 µg/L	Detected	13	F
74	Akron	10.5 µg/L	Detected	3	B+
75	Fairchance	10.5 µg/L	Detected	3	C+
76	Beaver	10.3 µg/L	Detected	0	F
77	Pottstown	10.2 µg/L	Detected	29	F
78	Leola	10.2 µg/L	Detected	6	B-
79	Oakdale	9.7 µg/L	Detected	12	C-
80	Conneaut Lake	9.6 µg/L	Detected	20	F
81	Ephrata	9.4 µg/L	Detected	21	C
82	Cranberry Twp	9.1 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
83	Allison Park	9.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lithium in Pennsylvania

Is lithium in Pennsylvania tap water harmful?

Lithium has no federal MCL or health advisory. Some state agencies use 60 µg/L as a screening level. 83 cities in Pennsylvania had detectable lithium in UCMR 5 testing. Therapeutic lithium doses (used to treat bipolar disorder) are far higher than typical drinking-water levels, but chronic low-level exposure has been studied for potential thyroid and mood effects.

Where does lithium in tap water come from?

Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, especially in arid western states with lithium-bearing geology (parts of Nevada, California, North Carolina, Texas). It can also enter water from industrial sources such as battery manufacturing, ceramics, and lithium-mining wastewater. Geothermal hot springs are another natural source.

How can I remove lithium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing lithium, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Ion exchange systems and distillation also work well. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against lithium. If you rely on a private well in a lithium-rich geological area, consider testing.

More contaminants