Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania’s
Home for Water Softeners,
Water Filters, and Water Delivery

Yes, Elizabethtown tap water is treated to meet drinking water standards. However, meeting those standards does not mean the water is free from everything homeowners may want to reduce. The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Water Quality Report shows detected levels of nitrate, arsenic, TTHMs, HAA5s, PFOS, PFOA, lead, copper, uranium, radium, gross alpha, chlorine, manganese, barium, chromium, atrazine, and other substances. Many homeowners choose drinking water filtration or reverse osmosis to add another layer of protection for the water they drink and cook with every day.

Elizabethtown Area Water Authority uses both surface water and groundwater. In 2025, surface water accounted for 36% of total water produced. The report notes that surface water comes from a tributary named Back Run, which is supplemented by flow from Conewago Creek and Cornwall Quarry during dry weather. The remaining 64% of water was produced by eight deep wells. Because Elizabethtown uses a mix of surface water and groundwater, local water can be affected by runoff, natural minerals, source water conditions, and nearby land use before treatment. Household plumbing can also affect water quality once water reaches the home.

Yes. The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Water Quality Report notes that a source water assessment found the area’s sources are potentially most susceptible to agricultural activities and urban runoff. That does not mean every home has unsafe water, but it does show why homeowners may want to pay attention to drinking water quality. Filtration or reverse osmosis can help provide added protection at the tap for the water your household drinks and cooks with every day.

Yes. The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Water Quality Report notes that in February, EAWA received a violation for late reporting of filter data. The report states that all data was taken but entered into DWLER later than February 11. This type of violation does not automatically mean every home had unsafe water. However, timely reporting matters because it helps confirm that water treatment and monitoring information is being documented when required. Homeowners who want more control over their water may choose a drinking water filter or reverse osmosis system at the tap.

Yes. The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Water Quality Report listed PFOS at 4.81 ppt and PFOA at 4.56 ppt. PFOS and PFOA are two of the most recognized PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they can persist in the environment over time. Even at low reported levels, many homeowners prefer to reduce PFAS in the water they drink and cook with. Reverse osmosis is one of the most common point-of-use treatment options for reducing many PFAS compounds at the kitchen sink.

Yes. Elizabethtown reported nitrate at 7.69 ppm, with a detection range of 1.76 to 7.69 ppm. This is below the federal limit, but nitrate is still a contaminant many households prefer to reduce, especially homes with infants, young children, pregnant women, or anyone with certain health concerns. Reverse osmosis is commonly used to reduce nitrate in drinking water.

Yes. Elizabethtown reported arsenic at 4.0 ppb, with a detection range of 2.0 to 4.0 ppb. Arsenic can occur naturally in some water sources and may also be associated with certain environmental conditions. Even when detected below the federal limit, some homeowners prefer added drinking water treatment because arsenic is not something they want in the water they use every day. Reverse osmosis is a common option for reducing arsenic at the tap.

Yes. Elizabethtown reported total trihalomethanes, or TTHMs, at 99.1 ppb, with a detection range of 1 to 99.1 ppb and a yearly average of 51.6 ppb. Haloacetic acids, or HAA5s, were reported at 59.2 ppb, with a detection range of 2.0 to 59.2 ppb and a yearly average of 45.2 ppb. These yearly averages are under the federal limits, but the detected highs are worth paying attention to, especially for homeowners who want added control over their drinking water. Activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems can help reduce many unwanted tastes, odors, and certain disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Chlorine helps disinfect water and maintain a residual as water moves through the distribution system. Elizabethtown reported chlorine at a 0.95 ppm average, with a range of 0.57 to 0.97 ppm. Some homeowners notice a chlorine taste or smell, even when chlorine levels are within the expected range. A whole-home carbon filter or drinking water filtration system can help reduce chlorine taste and odor before water reaches your glass, shower, laundry, and appliances.

The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Water Quality Report did not list a specific hardness number in the sections provided. However, groundwater often contains minerals that can contribute to scale buildup, spots on dishes, dry-feeling skin and hair, and buildup around faucets and fixtures. A local water test is the best way to confirm whether your Elizabethtown home has hard water. If hardness minerals are present, a water softener can help protect plumbing, appliances, fixtures, and everyday comfort.

Elizabethtown reported lead at a 90th percentile level of 3.0 ppb, with a sampling range of 1.0 to 4.0 ppb. This is below the action level, but lead can still be a concern because it often enters water through older plumbing, fixtures, or service lines. Lead levels can vary from home to home, so many homeowners choose certified drinking water filtration or reverse osmosis for added protection at the tap.

Elizabethtown reported copper at a 90th percentile level of 0.734 ppm, with a sampling range of 0.015 to 0.919 ppm. This is below the action level, but copper can still enter water through household plumbing, especially when water sits in pipes for several hours. A water test can help determine whether copper or other plumbing-related metals are present in your home’s water.

The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Water Quality Report listed several additional detected substances, including combined uranium at 1.24 ppb, radium-226 at 1.02 pCi/L, radium-228 at 0.47 pCi/L, gross alpha at 3.22 pCi/L, barium at 244 ppb, chromium at 2.0 ppb, manganese at 118 ppb, sulfate at 85.2 ppm, zinc at 14 ppb, iron at 51 ppb, nickel at 2.0 ppb, antimony at 0.5 ppb, methylene chloride at 0.50 ppb, and atrazine at 0.27 ppb.

These levels do not all carry the same concern, but they show why homeowners may want to understand what is in their daily-use water. A local water test can help determine whether your home would benefit most from a water softener, whole-home filter, reverse osmosis system, or a combination of systems.

You can access the most recent Elizabethtown Area Water Authority Water Quality Report through the local water provider. Culligan Mid-Atlantic can also test your home’s tap water and help explain what may be coming from local source water, water treatment conditions, and your household plumbing.