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Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate in Pennsylvania Drinking Water

Ranked by nitrate violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

473
Cities Tested
473
Has Violations
100%
% Has Violations
12.1 violations
State Avg
▼ 0% vs national
vs National
487
Health Violations
Analysis

Nitrate in Pennsylvania: what the data shows

Pennsylvania has 473 cities with nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (measured as nitrogen). The state has 473 cities with at least one nitrate violation. Nitrate is the most common groundwater contaminant in the United States. It enters water supplies primarily through agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural and agricultural communities face the highest risk. The primary acute health concern is methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants under six months. Emerging research also links chronic nitrate exposure to thyroid disease, certain cancers, and adverse birth outcomes. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation can remove nitrate from drinking water — standard carbon filters do not.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 mg/L EPA MCL

Pennsylvania
100%
473 of 473 cities
← = Exactly at national rate
National avg
100%
8001 of 8001 cities
City Map

Nitrate data across Pennsylvania

Each dot is a city with nitrate violation data. Cities with at least one nitrate-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by nitrate level in Pennsylvania

Highest Nitrate levels (violations)

  1. 1 F Morgantown 183 violations Yes 12K
  2. 2 F Elizabethtown 155 violations Yes 24K
  3. 3 F White Haven 114 violations Yes 36K
  4. 4 F Tunkhannock 79 violations Yes 6K
  5. 5 F Moscow 76 violations Yes 2K
  6. 6 F York 74 violations Yes 223K
  7. 7 F Norristown 70 violations Yes 99K
  8. 8 F Lititz 66 violations Yes 22K
  9. 9 F Northampton 62 violations Yes 41K
  10. 10 F Greencastle 56 violations Yes 7K
All Cities

All Pennsylvania cities ranked by nitrate level

# City Level Level Violations? Violations Grade
1 Morgantown 183 violations
Yes 145
F
2 Elizabethtown 155 violations
Yes 87
F
3 White Haven 114 violations
Yes 44
F
4 Tunkhannock 79 violations
Yes 21
F
5 Moscow 76 violations
Yes 62
F
6 York 74 violations
Yes 34
F
7 Norristown 70 violations
Yes 23
F
8 Lititz 66 violations
Yes 73
F
9 Northampton 62 violations
Yes 45
F
10 Greencastle 56 violations
Yes 39
F
11 Lemoyne 55 violations
Yes 43
F
12 Fairview 50 violations
Yes 27
F
13 Bryn Mawr 48 violations
Yes 36
F
14 Lancaster 47 violations
Yes 68
F
15 Landisburg 47 violations
Yes 34
F
16 Lake Ariel 46 violations
Yes 66
D
17 Loganton 45 violations
Yes 10
F
18 Coatesville 44 violations
Yes 61
F
19 Allentown 43 violations
Yes 66
F
20 North Wales 43 violations
Yes 22
F
21 Shamokin 43 violations
Yes 18
F
22 Columbia 43 violations
Yes 46
F
23 Erie 41 violations
Yes 35
D
24 Manheim 41 violations
Yes 20
F
25 Saylorsburg 41 violations
Yes 47
F
26 New Enterprise 41 violations
Yes 17
C
27 Harrisburg 40 violations
Yes 26
F
28 East Earl 40 violations
Yes 31
D+
29 Milton 39 violations
Yes 15
F
30 Selinsgrove 38 violations
Yes 4
F
31 Kennett Square 38 violations
Yes 10
F
32 Berwick 37 violations
Yes 7
F
33 Meadville 36 violations
Yes 21
F
34 Indiana 36 violations
Yes 140
F
35 Honesdale 36 violations
Yes 41
F
36 Spring Mills 36 violations
Yes 10
F
37 Milford 35 violations
Yes 29
F
38 Bethlehem 34 violations
Yes 29
F
39 Oxford 34 violations
Yes 33
F
40 Stewartstown 33 violations
Yes 6
D
41 Newtown 32 violations
Yes 25
F
42 Drums 32 violations
Yes 11
D
43 Mercersburg 31 violations
Yes 34
F
44 Penns Creek 31 violations
Yes 1
F
45 Pottstown 30 violations
Yes 29
F
46 Gettysburg 30 violations
Yes 37
F
47 Ulysses 30 violations
Yes 16
F
48 Strasburg 29 violations
Yes 25
D+
49 Reading 28 violations
Yes 91
F
50 Muncy 28 violations
Yes 13
F
51 East Berlin 28 violations
Yes 5
F
52 Gap 28 violations
Yes 16
F
53 Howard 27 violations
Yes 2
D+
54 Doylestown 26 violations
Yes 4
D
55 Kutztown 26 violations
Yes 21
F
56 Mifflinburg 26 violations
Yes 3
D
57 Dallas 26 violations
Yes 2
F
58 Greentown 26 violations
Yes 35
F
59 Carlisle 25 violations
Yes 13
F
60 Ephrata 25 violations
Yes 21
C
61 Leola 25 violations
Yes 6
B-
62 Deerpark (T) 25 violations
Yes 14
D
63 Ambler 24 violations
Yes 4
F
64 Coudersport 24 violations
Yes 3
F
65 Girard 24 violations
Yes 5
D
66 Duncannon 24 violations
Yes 22
F
67 Gray 24 violations
Yes 5
F
68 Shippensburg 23 violations
Yes 11
D
69 Mifflintown 23 violations
Yes 15
F
70 Chambersburg 22 violations
Yes 49
F
71 Dover 22 violations
Yes 16
F
72 Somerset 22 violations
Yes 10
F
73 Fleetwood 22 violations
Yes 12
D
74 Annville 22 violations
Yes 8
F
75 Mc Connellsburg 22 violations
Yes 0
F
76 Olyphant 22 violations
Yes 71
F
77 East Stroudsburg 21 violations
Yes 74
F
78 Williamsport 21 violations
Yes 19
F
79 Montoursville 21 violations
Yes 10
F
80 Ligonier 21 violations
Yes 12
F
81 Cochranton 21 violations
Yes 10
F
82 Roulette 21 violations
Yes 7
F
83 Freeburg 21 violations
Yes 18
C-
84 Parkesburg 21 violations
Yes 13
F
85 Blairsville 20 violations
Yes 22
F
86 East Greenville 20 violations
Yes 9
F
87 West Chester 20 violations
Yes 8
F
88 Mechanicsburg 19 violations
Yes 13
F
89 Bellefonte 19 violations
Yes 11
F
90 Towanda 19 violations
Yes 7
F
91 New Freedom 19 violations
Yes 5
C+
92 Parker 19 violations
Yes 40
F
93 Greensburg 18 violations
Yes 19
D
94 Nicholson 18 violations
Yes 3
F
95 Jennerstown 18 violations
Yes 2
C+
96 Scranton 17 violations
Yes 15
F
97 Spring City 17 violations
Yes 2
B+
98 Bushkill 17 violations
Yes 9
F
99 Waynesboro 17 violations
Yes 7
D
100 Buckingham 17 violations
Yes 0
F
101 Jersey Shore 17 violations
Yes 24
D
102 Bedford 17 violations
Yes 50
F
103 Myerstown 16 violations
Yes 6
C-
104 Walnutport 16 violations
Yes 11
F
105 Shavertown 16 violations
Yes 6
F
106 Hamlin 16 violations
Yes 10
F
107 Carrolltown 16 violations
Yes 6
F
108 Butler 16 violations
Yes 2
F
109 Narvon 16 violations
Yes 20
F
110 Lebanon 15 violations
Yes 8
F
111 Denver 15 violations
Yes 4
C-
112 Middletown 15 violations
Yes 4
C-
113 Trappe 15 violations
Yes 7
B-
114 Mansfield 15 violations
Yes 43
D
115 Leesport 15 violations
Yes 15
D+
116 Littlestown 14 violations
Yes 3
F
117 Freeland 14 violations
Yes 5
D
118 Martinsburg 14 violations
Yes 5
C+
119 Roaring Spring 14 violations
Yes 5
B
120 Midland 14 violations
Yes 39
F
121 Troy 14 violations
Yes 3
F
122 Sheffield 14 violations
Yes 4
C+
123 Avondale 14 violations
Yes 0
C+
124 Tannersville 14 violations
Yes 13
F
125 Sharon 13 violations
Yes 26
F
126 Franklin 13 violations
Yes 12
F
127 Mill Hall 13 violations
Yes 29
F
128 Hamburg 13 violations
Yes 7
C
129 Shrewsbury 13 violations
Yes 4
C-
130 Elverson 13 violations
Yes 9
F
131 Arendtsville 13 violations
Yes 1
B
132 Foxburg 13 violations
Yes 1
F
133 Wyalusing 13 violations
Yes 0
C+
134 Linden 13 violations
Yes 1
F
135 Easton 12 violations
Yes 37
F
136 Tobyhanna 12 violations
Yes 10
F
137 Beaver 12 violations
Yes 0
F
138 Tyrone 12 violations
Yes 6
F
139 East Petersburg 12 violations
Yes 9
B
140 Quarryville 12 violations
Yes 16
D
141 Renovo 12 violations
Yes 13
F
142 Smethport 12 violations
Yes 5
F
143 Mont Alto 12 violations
Yes 1
C
144 Linesville 12 violations
Yes 3
B
145 Thompsontown 12 violations
Yes 3
F
146 Lakeville 12 violations
Yes 8
F
147 Lawrenceville 12 violations
Yes 2
D
148 Pittsburgh 11 violations
Yes 44
F
149 Richboro 11 violations
Yes 2
F
150 Huntingdon 11 violations
Yes 14
B-
151 Hughesville 11 violations
Yes 2
F
152 Biglerville 11 violations
Yes 2
A-
153 Oley 11 violations
Yes 2
B-
154 Commodore 11 violations
Yes 15
F
155 Wantage Twp.-1924 11 violations
Yes 8
D+
156 Jamestown 11 violations
Yes 7
D+
157 Johnstown 10 violations
Yes 55
D
158 State College 10 violations
Yes 3
D
159 Downingtown 10 violations
Yes 18
C-
160 Hollidaysburg 10 violations
Yes 16
D
161 Sarver 10 violations
Yes 9
C+
162 Lykens 10 violations
Yes 19
F
163 Reinholds 10 violations
Yes 0
B+
164 Johnsonburg 10 violations
Yes 21
F
165 Halifax 10 violations
Yes 5
C-
166 Beech Creek 10 violations
Yes 0
F
167 Atglen 10 violations
Yes 1
B+
168 Conneaut Lake 10 violations
Yes 20
F
169 South Mountain 10 violations
Yes 10
F
170 Berwyn 10 violations
Yes 9
D
171 Lansdale 9 violations
Yes 22
F
172 Mount Joy 9 violations
Yes 8
B+
173 Greenville 9 violations
Yes 22
D
174 Indian Head 9 violations
Yes 0
D
175 Camp Hill 9 violations
Yes 18
F
176 Conyngham 9 violations
Yes 1
F
177 Matamoras 9 violations
Yes 1
D
178 Elkland 9 violations
Yes 4
D+
179 Richlandtown 9 violations
Yes 38
C+
180 Stroudsburg 9 violations
Yes 32
F
181 Schaefferstown 9 violations
Yes 5
A
182 Millville 9 violations
Yes 4
F
183 Beavertown 9 violations
Yes 2
D
184 Quentin 9 violations
Yes 1
B
185 Hidden Valley 9 violations
Yes 1
B
186 Altoona 8 violations
Yes 64
F
187 Bloomsburg 8 violations
Yes 6
F
188 Philipsburg 8 violations
Yes 1
C
189 Sellersville 8 violations
Yes 9
F
190 Dubois 8 violations
Yes 18
F
191 Sunbury 8 violations
Yes 6
C-
192 Millersville 8 violations
Yes 2
C
193 Corry 8 violations
Yes 7
D
194 West Grove 8 violations
Yes 6
F
195 New Holland 8 violations
Yes 11
C
196 Tower City 8 violations
Yes 1
C-
197 Farmington 8 violations
Yes 4
D+
198 Weedville 8 violations
Yes 6
F
199 Polk 8 violations
Yes 21
F
200 Mount Gretna 8 violations
Yes 4
F
201 Torrance 8 violations
Yes 6
C-
202 Liverpool 8 violations
Yes 14
B-
203 Millheim 8 violations
Yes 4
D
204 Summerville 8 violations
Yes 0
F
205 Knoxville 8 violations
Yes 13
C
206 Meshoppen 8 violations
Yes 2
F
207 Ulster 8 violations
Yes 5
F
208 New Castle 7 violations
Yes 12
F
209 Warrington 7 violations
Yes 34
F
210 Aliquippa 7 violations
Yes 9
F
211 Ford City 7 violations
Yes 4
C
212 Newmanstown 7 violations
Yes 2
C+
213 Ebensburg 7 violations
Yes 39
D
214 Davidsville 7 violations
Yes 2
D
215 Ridgway 7 violations
Yes 30
C
216 Mount Union 7 violations
Yes 52
F
217 Brockway 7 violations
Yes 3
D
218 Brownstown 7 violations
Yes 14
B+
219 Mingoville 7 violations
Yes 1
C
220 Newport 7 violations
Yes 6
F
221 Milesburg 7 violations
Yes 1
C
222 Port Allegany 7 violations
Yes 3
D
223 Topton 7 violations
Yes 4
C-
224 Saxton 7 violations
Yes 5
F
225 Galeton 7 violations
Yes 2
F
226 New Bloomfield 7 violations
Yes 3
F
227 New Milford 7 violations
Yes 3
D
228 Delaware Water Gap 7 violations
Yes 4
D
229 Warriors Mark 7 violations
Yes 0
B
230 Austin 7 violations
Yes 3
F
231 Springtown 7 violations
Yes 4
C-
232 Susquehanna 7 violations
Yes 1
C
233 Shermans Dale 7 violations
Yes 14
C-
234 Aaronsburg 7 violations
Yes 0
F
235 Pottsville 6 violations
Yes 13
C-
236 Horsham 6 violations
Yes 1
F
237 Phoenixville 6 violations
Yes 13
C
238 North East 6 violations
Yes 11
D
239 Palmerton 6 violations
Yes 2
C-
240 Portage 6 violations
Yes 7
F
241 Cresson 6 violations
Yes 2
C
242 Tarentum 6 violations
Yes 7
D
243 Honey Brook 6 violations
Yes 3
F
244 Weatherly 6 violations
Yes 3
D
245 New Hope 6 violations
Yes 6
F
246 Port Matilda 6 violations
Yes 1
C+
247 Richland 6 violations
Yes 0
B-
248 Delta 6 violations
Yes 1
B
249 Lilly 6 violations
Yes 1
C
250 Knox 6 violations
Yes 0
A-
251 Bainbridge 6 violations
Yes 2
B
252 Shinglehouse 6 violations
Yes 0
F
253 Cabot 6 violations
Yes 2
C+
254 Hyndman 6 violations
Yes 3
B
255 Bowmanstown 6 violations
Yes 0
C
256 Aspers 6 violations
Yes 3
A-
257 Gratz 6 violations
Yes 2
D+
258 Osterburg 6 violations
Yes 4
F
259 Lyon Station 6 violations
Yes 2
B-
260 University Park 5 violations
Yes 0
C
261 Latrobe 5 violations
Yes 4
B-
262 Landisville 5 violations
Yes 2
B-
263 Bradford 5 violations
Yes 6
C+
264 Southampton 5 violations
Yes 9
D
265 Sayre 5 violations
Yes 6
C-
266 Grove City 5 violations
Yes 4
C+
267 St Thomas 5 violations
Yes 6
B
268 Lehighton 5 violations
Yes 53
F
269 Wellsboro 5 violations
Yes 12
D
270 Wernersville 5 violations
Yes 1
B-
271 Blandon 5 violations
Yes 0
B+
272 Cheswick 5 violations
Yes 6
B
273 Duncansville 5 violations
Yes 5
D
274 Industry 5 violations
Yes 24
D+
275 Cambridge Springs 5 violations
Yes 21
F
276 Elizabethville 5 violations
Yes 0
A-
277 Royersford 5 violations
Yes 5
C-
278 Glen Rock 5 violations
Yes 2
B+
279 Blossburg 5 violations
Yes 0
C-
280 Middleburg 5 violations
Yes 5
C+
281 Hawthorn 5 violations
Yes 12
D
282 Sipesville 5 violations
Yes 3
B-
283 Rockwood 5 violations
Yes 0
C
284 Mc Alisterville 5 violations
Yes 4
F
285 Beaver Springs 5 violations
Yes 0
C+
286 Orefield 5 violations
Yes 1
B
287 Mapleton 5 violations
Yes 8
F
288 Kunkletown 5 violations
Yes 7
F
289 Frederick 5 violations
Yes 1
B+
290 Levittown 4 violations
Yes 4
B
291 Beaver Falls 4 violations
Yes 22
F
292 Charleroi 4 violations
Yes 25
C-
293 Quakertown 4 violations
Yes 12
F
294 Jamison 4 violations
Yes 1
B+
295 Morrisville 4 violations
Yes 39
D
296 Boiling Springs 4 violations
Yes 5
C+
297 Houtzdale 4 violations
Yes 9
B+
298 Catasauqua 4 violations
Yes 2
B
299 Derry 4 violations
Yes 1
B
300 Monaca 4 violations
Yes 4
B-
301 Seneca 4 violations
Yes 0
A-
302 Akron 4 violations
Yes 3
B+
303 Point Marion 4 violations
Yes 61
F
304 Irvona 4 violations
Yes 5
C-
305 Masontown 4 violations
Yes 10
B
306 Bath 4 violations
Yes 4
F
307 Mt Holly Springs 4 violations
Yes 2
B
308 Central City 4 violations
Yes 32
B
309 Nanty Glo 4 violations
Yes 19
B-
310 Gallitzin 4 violations
Yes 7
F
311 Montgomery 4 violations
Yes 6
D+
312 Mercer 4 violations
Yes 3
D
313 Dublin 4 violations
Yes 2
F
314 Williamstown 4 violations
Yes 0
C-
315 Canton 4 violations
Yes 0
B-
316 Intercourse 4 violations
Yes 1
C
317 Luthersburg 4 violations
Yes 1
D
318 Westfield 4 violations
Yes 3
C+
319 Fredericksburg 4 violations
Yes 2
B+
320 Christiana 4 violations
Yes 8
D+
321 Bessemer 4 violations
Yes 3
B+
322 Portland 4 violations
Yes 5
B
323 York Springs 4 violations
Yes 0
A-
324 Pennsylvania Furnace 4 violations
Yes 9
D
325 Stoneboro 4 violations
Yes 1
B
326 Port Royal 4 violations
Yes 0
D
327 Wood 4 violations
Yes 4
F
328 Petersburg 4 violations
Yes 3
F
329 Confluence 4 violations
Yes 33
F
330 Russell 4 violations
Yes 7
B
331 Rouseville 4 violations
Yes 2
F
332 Hazleton 3 violations
Yes 6
D+
333 Cranberry Twp 3 violations
Yes 2
B+
334 Warminster 3 violations
Yes 1
D
335 Milroy 3 violations
Yes 2
B
336 Ambridge 3 violations
Yes 19
F
337 Saint Marys 3 violations
Yes 10
B-
338 Slippery Rock 3 violations
Yes 8
F
339 Red Lion 3 violations
Yes 0
C+
340 Fredericktown 3 violations
Yes 85
F
341 Lock Haven 3 violations
Yes 8
C
342 Center Valley 3 violations
Yes 6
D
343 Pipersville 3 violations
Yes 13
F
344 Sharpsville 3 violations
Yes 62
B-
345 Schwenksville 3 violations
Yes 3
B-
346 Curwensville 3 violations
Yes 20
D+
347 Ashland 3 violations
Yes 1
C
348 Wrightsville 3 violations
Yes 19
B
349 Boswell 3 violations
Yes 4
B
350 Auburn 3 violations
Yes 6
D
351 Bellwood 3 violations
Yes 1
A-
352 Bally 3 violations
Yes 0
C+
353 Hastings 3 violations
Yes 0
B
354 Newville 3 violations
Yes 3
B
355 Delaware (T) 3 violations
Yes 1
B+
356 Youngsville 3 violations
Yes 0
B
357 Patton 3 violations
Yes 43
D+
358 Adamstown 3 violations
Yes 2
B+
359 Loysburg 3 violations
Yes 3
B-
360 Shamokin Dam 3 violations
Yes 3
B
361 Waterford 3 violations
Yes 7
D+
362 Falls Creek 3 violations
Yes 27
D+
363 Chicora 3 violations
Yes 2
D+
364 East Bangor 3 violations
Yes 1
B-
365 Orbisonia 3 violations
Yes 2
B
366 Trumbauersville 3 violations
Yes 18
F
367 Bernville 3 violations
Yes 2
A
368 Richfield 3 violations
Yes 1
B-
369 New Berlin 3 violations
Yes 0
A-
370 Kreamer 3 violations
Yes 0
B-
371 Riegelsville 3 violations
Yes 4
F
372 Buck Hill Falls 3 violations
Yes 2
B
373 Eldred 3 violations
Yes 2
B-
374 Wampum 3 violations
Yes 4
B-
375 Mexico 3 violations
Yes 12
D+
376 Fishertown 3 violations
Yes 2
B+
377 Etters 3 violations
Yes 4
B
378 Orangeville 3 violations
Yes 2
D+
379 Clintonville 3 violations
Yes 4
D+
380 Kennerdell 3 violations
Yes 1
F
381 Philadelphia 2 violations
Yes 14
B
382 New Kensington 2 violations
Yes 0
A
383 Dunbar 2 violations
Yes 12
B+
384 Clarks Summit 2 violations
Yes 6
C-
385 Belle Vernon 2 violations
Yes 13
D
386 Emmaus 2 violations
Yes 16
C+
387 Whitehall 2 violations
Yes 32
B+
388 Windber 2 violations
Yes 0
B-
389 Sewickley 2 violations
Yes 2
C+
390 Lords Valley 2 violations
Yes 10
F
391 Edinboro 2 violations
Yes 10
D
392 Dillsburg 2 violations
Yes 1
B+
393 Boyertown 2 violations
Yes 6
B+
394 Tamaqua 2 violations
Yes 9
C-
395 Harmony 2 violations
Yes 15
B
396 Brookville 2 violations
Yes 3
A-
397 Hellertown 2 violations
Yes 0
C
398 Millersburg 2 violations
Yes 2
B
399 Dilliner 2 violations
Yes 12
D+
400 Zelienople 2 violations
Yes 3
C-
401 New Oxford 2 violations
Yes 9
B-
402 Springdale 2 violations
Yes 35
A-
403 Flinton 2 violations
Yes 4
C+
404 Reynoldsville 2 violations
Yes 9
F
405 New Bethlehem 2 violations
Yes 11
B
406 Macungie 2 violations
Yes 1
B+
407 Claysburg 2 violations
Yes 2
D+
408 Markleysburg 2 violations
Yes 1
B-
409 Everett 2 violations
Yes 0
C+
410 Meyersdale 2 violations
Yes 8
F
411 Loretto 2 violations
Yes 0
C+
412 Alburtis 2 violations
Yes 0
A-
413 Evans City 2 violations
Yes 7
C-
414 Centre Hall 2 violations
Yes 1
C-
415 Elderton 2 violations
Yes 1
C+
416 Williamsburg 2 violations
Yes 1
B+
417 Clymer 2 violations
Yes 1
C+
418 Frenchville 2 violations
Yes 2
B-
419 Saegertown 2 violations
Yes 6
D+
420 Vanport 2 violations
Yes 0
A-
421 Benton 2 violations
Yes 1
D+
422 Windsor 2 violations
Yes 0
B+
423 Sandy Lake 2 violations
Yes 0
D
424 Tidioute 2 violations
Yes 20
D
425 Bendersville 2 violations
Yes 0
C-
426 Lahaska 2 violations
Yes 0
B-
427 Lewis Run 2 violations
Yes 1
B
428 Gifford 2 violations
Yes 2
F
429 Mcclure 2 violations
Yes 0
B
430 Alexandria 2 violations
Yes 4
C+
431 Franklintown 2 violations
Yes 0
A-
432 Tioga 2 violations
Yes 1
C+
433 Dayton 2 violations
Yes 2
B-
434 Newell 2 violations
Yes 7
B-
435 Chester 1 violations
Yes 0
B
436 Allison Park 1 violations
Yes 0
A
437 Oakmont 1 violations
Yes 0
A
438 Moon Township 1 violations
Yes 1
B
439 Yardley 1 violations
Yes 1
B+
440 Fairless Hills 1 violations
Yes 15
D+
441 Warren 1 violations
Yes 7
D
442 Oil City 1 violations
Yes 2
A
443 Adrian 1 violations
Yes 3
B+
444 Telford 1 violations
Yes 5
B
445 Titusville 1 violations
Yes 3
B-
446 Albion 1 violations
Yes 3
C+
447 Duquesne 1 violations
Yes 9
C+
448 Birdsboro 1 violations
Yes 15
C
449 Homer City 1 violations
Yes 0
A
450 Spinnerstown 1 violations
Yes 0
A-
451 Valley View 1 violations
Yes 1
B+
452 Brackenridge 1 violations
Yes 8
A-
453 Emporium 1 violations
Yes 32
D+
454 Kittanning 1 violations
Yes 0
C-
455 Union City 1 violations
Yes 36
D+
456 Lake City 1 violations
Yes 1
B+
457 Summit Hill 1 violations
Yes 1
B-
458 Pine Grove 1 violations
Yes 4
C
459 Worthington 1 violations
Yes 2
F
460 Catawissa 1 violations
Yes 0
A-
461 Delaware (T) 1 violations
Yes 1
A-
462 Colver 1 violations
Yes 7
B
463 Summerhill 1 violations
Yes 2
C+
464 Cairnbrook 1 violations
Yes 0
A-
465 Pleasantville 1 violations
Yes 3
D
466 Ringtown 1 violations
Yes 2
A-
467 North Warren 1 violations
Yes 1
B-
468 Alum Bank 1 violations
Yes 2
B+
469 Millerstown 1 violations
Yes 2
A-
470 Tionesta 1 violations
Yes 0
B-
471 Hooversville 1 violations
Yes 12
C
472 New Ringgold 1 violations
Yes 2
B
473 Deerpark (T) 1 violations
Yes 1
B-
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about nitrate in Pennsylvania

Is nitrate in Pennsylvania tap water dangerous?

Yes — 473 cities in Pennsylvania have nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL is 10 mg/L. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants under six months, where it can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome"). Adults face lower acute risk, but chronic exposure is linked to thyroid disease and certain cancers.

How can I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation are effective at removing nitrate. Standard carbon filters (including most pitcher and faucet-mount filters) do NOT remove nitrate. If you rely on a private well in an agricultural area, have your water tested annually for nitrate.

What causes high nitrate levels in Pennsylvania water?

Nitrate contamination comes primarily from agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural communities near intensive farming are most at risk. Shallow wells are particularly vulnerable. Heavy rainfall can spike nitrate levels as it washes fertilizer into groundwater and surface water supplies.

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Perchlorate in Pennsylvania
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
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Nitrate in drinking water by state

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