PALMYRA, Pennsylvania Tap Water Quality

112 people served · 2 water systems

Failing

PALMYRA, Pennsylvania is a rural community with 112 residents served by 2 public water systems. Water service covers ZIP code 17078.

PALMYRA has accumulated a significant number of EPA health-based violations. Reviewing the contaminants involved, requesting your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and using certified point-of-use filtration is strongly advisable.

EPA reporting identifies Coliform Bacteria, Nitrate, and Coliform Bacteria among the regulated contaminants associated with PALMYRA's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

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Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

17078

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving PALMYRA. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Nitratechemical

EPA Code 1040 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

10 mg/L

Last Reading

11.7 MG/L

First Reported

Jul 2025

Most Recent

Jul 2025

What this violation means

Nitrate contamination is most acute in agricultural regions where fertilizer and animal waste leach into groundwater. The immediate risk is to formula-fed infants under 6 months — high nitrate levels prevent their blood from carrying oxygen, causing 'blue baby syndrome.' Pregnant women should also avoid high-nitrate water.

Recommended precautions

→Never give untreated high-nitrate water to infants — use bottled water for formula.
→Boiling does NOT remove nitrate. Boiling concentrates it.
→Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation are the only effective home treatments.
→Private well owners in farming areas should test annually for nitrate.

Read the complete guide to Nitrate

Coliform Bacteriamicrobial

EPA Code 0700 · Treatment Technique Violation

violations

EPA Limit

0 per 100 mL presence/absence

Last Reading

—

First Reported

Sep 2021

Most Recent

Jan 2022

What this violation means

Total coliform bacteria are themselves usually harmless, but their presence signals that the water distribution system has a vulnerability — typically a cracked pipe, loss of pressure, or back-siphonage — that could allow disease-causing pathogens to enter. Repeated coliform-positive samples trigger mandatory utility investigation.

Recommended precautions

→If your utility issues a boil-water advisory, boil all drinking and cooking water for at least one minute.
→Use bottled water until the advisory is lifted.
→Ice from icemakers and beverages made before the advisory should be discarded.
→UV light and chlorination both kill coliform bacteria — most home filters do not.

Read the complete guide to Coliform Bacteria

Coliform Bacteriamicrobial

EPA Code 8000 · Treatment Technique Violation

violations

EPA Limit

0 per 100 mL presence/absence

Last Reading

—

First Reported

Aug 2021

Most Recent

Aug 2021

What this violation means

Recommended precautions

→If your utility issues a boil-water advisory, boil all drinking and cooking water for at least one minute.
→Use bottled water until the advisory is lifted.
→Ice from icemakers and beverages made before the advisory should be discarded.
→UV light and chlorination both kill coliform bacteria — most home filters do not.

Read the complete guide to Coliform Bacteria

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving PALMYRA

IRVIN MANHEIM MHP

PWSID: PA7360074

77 served

3 violations

CRALEY MHP

PWSID: PA7670038

35 served

12 violations

What Can You Do?

✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PALMYRA, Pennsylvania tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had numerous EPA violations in the last 5 years. Consider filtered water.

How many EPA violations does PALMYRA have?▼

PALMYRA has 15 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 2 water systems serving 112 people.

What contaminants have been found in PALMYRA water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 0700, 1040, 8000. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in PALMYRA?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in PALMYRA?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.