Duncannon Muni Water
What EPA’s and Pennsylvania’s records show in this utility’s water: PFAS; nitrate, arsenic and other regulated chemicals; lead and copper; and violations since 2016, with the certification that handles each result.
- Serves
- 2,000 people
- Connections
- 1,137
- Water source
- Groundwater
- Based in
- Duncannon, PA
- County
- Perry
- Owner
- Local government
The ZIP code it serves
The short answer
2 results are above EPA’s legal limit, 2 more are above EPA’s new limit, which takes effect in 2029, and 1 more is above the health goal. The worst: Lead, above the action level. 6 health-based violations since 2016.
What handles itWhat was found
PFAS: Pennsylvania’s own results under its PFAS rule, entry point samples taken from March 6, 2024 to July 15, 2026.
Lead and copper: EPA SDWIS monitoring periods ending 1993 to 2001. Lead at 0.3 mg/L (2016) is left out of this report: more than 20 times the action level, it looks like µg/L entered as mg/L.
Copper: EPA’s file records a utility’s copper only when it exceeds the action level. The last here was 1.7 ppm, for the period ending Sept. 30, 2016. None since is on file, so it is not counted as a current finding.
Arsenic, uranium, nitrate, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), haloacetic acids (HAA5), chromium (total) and fluoride: Pennsylvania’s own results, samples taken from Feb. 24, 2020 to Aug. 5, 2026, with EPA’s 2012 to 2019 file for earlier years.
PFAS: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFBS were found, of the six PFAS in EPA’s 2024 drinking water rule; their results are below.
EPA’s 2024 PFAS rule, compound by compound
| PFAS | EPA’s limit | Result |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 4.0 ppt | Above EPA’s new limit (2029)4.3 ppt highest, found in 8 of 24 samples. Details |
| PFOS | 4.0 ppt | Above EPA’s new limit (2029)4.9 ppt highest, found in 15 of 24 samples. Details |
| PFHxS | 10 ppt | Below EPA’s limits1.9 ppt highest, found in 2 of 8 samples. Details |
| PFNA | 10 ppt | Not foundNot found in any of 8 samples |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 10 ppt | Not foundNot found in any of 8 samples |
| PFBS | Index only | Below EPA’s limits5.9 ppt highest, found in 3 of 8 samples. Details |
| Results from Pennsylvania’s own PFAS monitoring, samples where water enters the pipes; each compound’s card has its four-quarter averages, the way limits are judged. The limits are EPA’s 2024 rule, with compliance due from 2029; EPA has since proposed changes to some of them, explained on each compound’s page. Pennsylvania’s own limits for PFOA and PFOS are in force now. PFBS has no limit of its own and counts only toward EPA’s Hazard Index, which TapBuff works out only from UCMR 5’s averages, so it isn’t given here. | ||
About PFAS certifications
NSF’s PFAS claims are tested to below 20 ppt. EPA’s limit is 4.0 ppt, and EPA says no certification yet shows a filter reaching its levels.
Above the legal limit2
Lead
Comes from pipes, often your own
18ppb
90th percentile, 2001
In the latest period, 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below 18 ppb, above EPA’s action level of 15 ppb. The action level drops to 10 ppb on Nov. 1, 2027, and this result is at or above that. EPA’s health goal for lead is zero.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Lead Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Lead Reduction”
Arsenic
Comes from the source
9.7ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026: not found
Averaged by year, the highest was 9.7 ppb, in 2022: below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. Its highest single sample was 12 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, it wasn’t found in any of its two samples. EPA judges this limit at each sampling point, and recorded a violation for arsenic at this utility in 2022. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 7.8 ppb, in 2019.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
Above EPA’s new limit, which takes effect in 20292
PFOS
Comes from the source
4.9ppt
Highest sample, Feb. 19, 2025; found in 15 of 24
2026 average: 2.2 ppt
The highest sample was 4.9 ppt, above EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt, which takes effect in 2029. EPA’s health goal is zero. Compliance will be judged on a running annual average, not one sample. Averaged over four quarters at one entry point, the way both Pennsylvania’s limit and EPA’s are judged, the highest was 4.2 ppt, for the year to March 31, 2025: below Pennsylvania’s limit of 18 ppt and above EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt. In 2026, the latest year on file, its four samples averaged 2.2 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “PFOS Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)”
PFOA
Comes from the source
4.3ppt
Highest sample, Feb. 19, 2025; found in 8 of 24
2026 average: 1.0 ppt
The highest sample was 4.3 ppt, above EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt, which takes effect in 2029. EPA’s health goal is zero. Compliance will be judged on a running annual average, not one sample. Averaged over four quarters at one entry point, the way both Pennsylvania’s limit and EPA’s are judged, the highest was 3.6 ppt, for the year to March 31, 2025: below Pennsylvania’s limit of 14 ppt and below EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt. In 2026, the latest year on file, its four samples averaged 1.0 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “PFOA Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)”
Above the health goal1
Uranium
Comes from the source
1.8ppb
Highest yearly average, 2021 to 2023
Averaged by year, the highest was 1.8 ppb, in 2023: below EPA’s legal limit of 30 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. Its highest single sample was 2.1 ppb. That was also the latest year on file.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Uranium”
Below EPA’s limits5
Nitrate
Comes from the source
6.1ppm
Highest sample; found in 39 of 45
2026 average: 3.3 ppm
The highest sample, in 2024, was 6.1 ppm, below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppm. In 2026, the latest year on file, its five samples averaged 3.3 ppm. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest sample of 6.4 ppm, in 2018.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge)”
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)
Forms or is added in treatment
29.4ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026, one sample: 8.9 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 29.4 ppb, in 2025, below EPA’s legal limit of 80 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its one sample was 8.9 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 27.4 ppb, in 2013.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
PFHxS
Comes from the source
1.9ppt
Highest sample, Feb. 19, 2025; found in 2 of 8
2026 average: 0.41 ppt
The highest sample was 1.9 ppt, below EPA’s new limit of 10 ppt, which takes effect in 2029. No entry point has four quarters of results in a row to average, the way EPA’s limit is judged. In 2026, the latest year on file, its four samples averaged 0.41 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Total PFAS Reduction”
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Forms or is added in treatment
2.4ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026: not found
Averaged by year, the highest was 2.4 ppb, in 2025, below EPA’s legal limit of 60 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, it wasn’t found in its one sample. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 7.2 ppb, in 2019.
What handles it
No certification claim covers this compound yet.
PFBS
Comes from the source
5.9ppt
Highest sample, July 15, 2026; found in 3 of 8
2026 average: 1.5 ppt
The highest sample was 5.9 ppt, below EPA’s hazard index benchmark of 2,000 ppt. PFBS has no legal limit or health goal of its own. In 2026, the latest year on file, its four samples averaged 1.5 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Total PFAS Reduction”
4 compounds tested and not foundBelow the reporting level in every sample. Not found is not the same as zero.
From routine monitoring
- Chromium (total)
- Fluoride
PFAS, from Pennsylvania’s own monitoring
- HFPO-DA (GenX)
- PFNA
What handles it
A certification covers specific claims, not a whole standard. Look for these claims on the certifier’s listing, not the box. Wording varies a little: NSF writes “Lead Reduction,” WQA just “Lead.”
- NSF/ANSI 53
Claims: Lead Reduction, Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction, PFOS Reduction, PFOA Reduction
For: Lead, Arsenic, PFOS, PFOA
Other certifiers’ wording: Arsenic (III) (50 ppb influent level); Total PFAS Reduction; Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS); Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
- NSF/ANSI 58
Claims: Lead Reduction, Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction, Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Uranium
For: Lead, Arsenic, PFOS, PFOA, Uranium
Other certifiers’ wording: Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=300 ppb Reduction; Arsenic (V) (300 ppb influent level)
At the tap, or for the whole house?
Lead and copper usually come from pipes and fixtures inside or near your home. A whole-house system sits where water enters, so it cannot catch what your own plumbing adds after it. For those, the filter that counts is the one at the tap. How whole-house systems compare.
Filters with those claims on a certifier’s listing
Disclosure: TapBuff earns a commission if you buy through some links on this page. It does not change which standard or filter we name. As an Amazon Associate, TapBuff earns from qualifying purchases. How TapBuff makes money
Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO2)
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Lead, Arsenic, PFOS, PFOA
Brondell Capella RC250 Reverse Osmosis System
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Lead, Arsenic, PFOS, PFOA
Countertop reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: Lead, Arsenic, PFOS, PFOA
PUR PLUS 11-Cup Pitcher (PPT111W)
Pitcher
- NSF listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: Lead, PFOS, PFOA
ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher (ZP-010)
Pitcher
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: Lead, PFOS, PFOA
The best water filters for lead, ranked
Violations since 2016
| Contaminant or rule | Type | Period | Measured | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groundwater Rule | A significant problem found in a state inspection was not fixed on time.EPA: Failure To Address Deficiency | April 28, 2022 | — | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Groundwater Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Nov. 1, 2021 to Nov. 30, 2021 | — | Resolved |
| Groundwater Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Oct. 1, 2021 to Oct. 31, 2021 | — | Resolved |
| Groundwater Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Nov. 1, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2016 | — | Resolved |
| Groundwater Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Feb. 1, 2016 to Feb. 29, 2016 | — | Resolved |
| Health-based violations only. Resolved and archived mean the utility returned to compliance or the state closed the record. 141 monitoring or reporting violations not shown. | ||||
What this report can’t tell you
Everything else. Arsenic, uranium, nitrate, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), haloacetic acids (HAA5), chromium (total) and fluoride results here are Pennsylvania’s own from 2020 on, with EPA’s national file for 2012 to 2019. Duncannon Muni Water’s own annual report, which it must send you every year, has the contaminants this page does not show.
Your own plumbing. Lead results are the 90th percentile across homes the utility samples. Your home’s service line, solder and fixtures decide yours. A certified lab test is the only way to know.
What it means for your health. This page reports what the records show and EPA’s limits and goals; it is not medical advice. If you are worried about a health effect, talk to a doctor or your local health department.
Anything after the latest data. SDWIS data is from 2026 Q3; UCMR 5 didn’t sample this utility; Pennsylvania’s results run from Feb. 24, 2020 to Aug. 5, 2026; Pennsylvania’s PFAS results run from March 6, 2024 to July 15, 2026.
Testing your own tap
The 3 labs Pennsylvania certifies closest to the area Duncannon Muni Water serves, in a straight line. Call first: certification is test by test, and not every lab takes samples from homeowners.
Microbac Laboratories, Inc. - Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA · about 15 miles
H2O Environmental LLC
Harrisburg, PA · about 17 miles
Certified for bacteria
ALS Environmental - Middletown
Middletown, PA · about 23 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, lead and copper, metals, minerals and other inorganics, organic chemicals, disinfection byproducts, PFAS, radioactivity
Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory: Drinking water test kits from many county Extension offices, mailed back to the lab overnight with payment. Packages cover bacteria and basic chemistry, with add-ons for nitrate, metals, lead, and mining or gas drilling concerns. The standard package of bacteria, pH and total dissolved solids is $60, or $70 with nitrate; bacteria alone is $40, nitrate $15 and lead $25. Drinking Water Testing, Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Lab.
All 108 certified labs for PennsylvaniaSources
- EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, file of Oct. 15, 2026
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Reporting System, PFAS results read Oct. 17, 2026
- EPA SDWA bulk download (SDWIS federal data), 2026 Q3
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Reporting System, results from Jan. 2, 2020 to Oct. 8, 2026, read Oct. 17, 2026
- EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data, 2012 to 2019, file of Feb. 5, 2024
- Certified labs: Pennsylvania DEP Laboratory Accreditation Program, accredited labs for drinking water, read Oct. 11, 2026; distances from the Census 2020 ZIP code tabulation area gazetteer
- Limits and goals: each contaminant’s page, with its EPA source.
- How this page is built: methodology.
PWSID PA7500019. Rebuilt from EPA data on Oct. 18, 2026.
What to do next
- Read up on the 5 results above a lineWhat each one does to health, where it comes from, and the certification claim that addresses it.Start with Lead
- Get the utility’s own reportDuncannon Muni Water must send you a water quality report every year. It covers contaminants this page does not show.How to read it
- Test your own tap for leadYour service line, solder and fixtures decide the lead at your faucet, not the utility’s average.Lead in your water: what to do
- Compare certified filtersWhat the filters certified for these results cost over five years, cartridges included.Compare five-year costs