East Berlin Area Joint Auth
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
- 1,750 people
- Connections
- 794
- Water source
- Groundwater
- Based in
- East Berlin, PA
- County
- Adams
- Owner
- Local government
The ZIP code it serves
The short answer
4 results are above EPA’s legal limit, and 3 more are above the health goal. The worst: PFOA, above Pennsylvania’s limit. No health-based violations on file 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 Sept. 28, 2026.
Lead and copper: EPA SDWIS monitoring periods ending 1996 to 2025.
Nitrate, uranium, arsenic, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), haloacetic acids (HAA5), fluoride and chromium (total): Pennsylvania’s own results, samples taken from Feb. 24, 2020 to Sept. 28, 2026, with EPA’s 2012 to 2019 file for earlier years.
PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA and PFBS were found, of the six PFAS in EPA’s 2024 drinking water rule; their results are below. None of the other 19 PFAS tested for was found.
EPA’s 2024 PFAS rule, compound by compound
| PFAS | EPA’s limit | Result |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 4.0 ppt | Above Pennsylvania’s limit27 ppt highest, found in 34 of 43 samples. Details |
| PFOS | 4.0 ppt | Above Pennsylvania’s limit21 ppt highest, found in 37 of 43 samples. Details |
| PFHxS | 10 ppt | Below EPA’s limits6.0 ppt highest, found in 17 of 33 samples. Details |
| PFNA | 10 ppt | Below EPA’s limits3.3 ppt highest, found in 2 of 33 samples. Details |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 10 ppt | Not foundNot found in any of 33 samples |
| PFBS | Index only | Below EPA’s limits15.7 ppt highest, found in 28 of 33 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 limit4
PFOA
Comes from the source
27ppt
Highest sample, Dec. 19, 2025; found in 34 of 43
2026 average: 8.2 ppt
The highest sample was 27 ppt, about 6.8 times 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 19.5 ppt, for the year to Dec. 31, 2024: above Pennsylvania’s limit of 14 ppt and above EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt. Pennsylvania recorded five violations of its limit for PFOA here, dated Feb. 10, 2025, April 23, 2025, July 17, 2025 and 2 more dates, on running averages of 18 to 21 ppt. In 2026, the latest year on file, its 12 samples averaged 8.2 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “PFOA Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)”
PFOS
Comes from the source
21ppt
Highest sample, Dec. 19, 2025; found in 37 of 43
2026 average: 7.5 ppt
The highest sample was 21 ppt, about 5.3 times 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 13.1 ppt, for the year to Sept. 30, 2026: below Pennsylvania’s limit of 18 ppt and above EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt. Pennsylvania recorded a violation of its limit for PFOS here, dated Jan. 21, 2026. In 2026, the latest year on file, its 12 samples averaged 7.5 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “PFOS Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)”
Copper
Comes from pipes, often your own
1.5ppm
90th percentile, 2025
In the latest period, 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below 1.5 ppm, above EPA’s action level of 1.3 ppm.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Copper Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Copper Reduction”
Lead
Comes from pipes, often your own
16.1ppb
90th percentile, 1996
In the latest period, 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below 16.1 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”
Above the health goal3
Nitrate
Comes from the source
11.6ppm
Highest sample; found in 97 of 97
2026 average: 5.2 ppm
From 2024 to 2025, two samples were above EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppm, the highest 11.6 ppm in 2025. Every one came back under the limit on the next sample at the same point. 10 ppm is also EPA’s health goal. In 2026, the latest year on file, its 11 samples averaged 5.2 ppm. EPA recorded no violation for nitrate at this utility since 2020. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest sample of 10.4 ppm, in 2016.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge)”
Uranium
Comes from the source
7.0ppb
Highest yearly average, 2021 to 2024
Averaged by year, the highest was 7.0 ppb, in 2024: below EPA’s legal limit of 30 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. Its highest single sample was 12.5 ppb. That was also the latest year on file. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 8.9 ppb, in 2012.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Uranium”
Arsenic
Comes from the source
2.2ppb
Highest yearly average, 2021 to 2024
2024 average: 1.6 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 2.2 ppb, in 2021: below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. Its highest single sample was 5.0 ppb. In 2024, the latest year on file, its five samples averaged 1.6 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 1.5 ppb, in 2012.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
Below EPA’s limits6
PFHxS
Comes from the source
6.0ppt
Highest sample, Sept. 23, 2024; found in 17 of 33
2026 average: 1.7 ppt
The highest sample was 6.0 ppt, below EPA’s new limit of 10 ppt, which takes effect in 2029. Averaged over four quarters at one entry point, the way EPA’s limit is judged, the highest was 5.4 ppt, for the year to June 30, 2025: below EPA’s new limit of 10 ppt. In 2026, the latest year on file, its 12 samples averaged 1.7 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Total PFAS Reduction”
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)
Forms or is added in treatment
39.2ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026, one sample: 19.3 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 39.2 ppb, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 80 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its one sample was 19.3 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 30.9 ppb, in 2018.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
PFNA
Comes from the source
3.3ppt
Highest sample, Dec. 19, 2025; found in 2 of 33
2026: not found
The highest sample was 3.3 ppt, below EPA’s new limit of 10 ppt, which takes effect in 2029. Averaged over four quarters at one entry point, the way EPA’s limit is judged, the highest was 0.82 ppt, for the year to Sept. 30, 2026: below EPA’s new limit of 10 ppt. In 2026, the latest year on file, it wasn’t found in any of its 12 samples.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Total PFAS Reduction”
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Forms or is added in treatment
16.4ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026, one sample: 9.0 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 16.4 ppb, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 60 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its one sample was 9.0 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 16 ppb, in 2014.
What handles it
No certification claim covers this compound yet.
Fluoride
Forms or is added in treatment
0.098ppm
Highest yearly average, 2021 to 2024
Averaged by year, the highest was 0.098 ppm, in 2024, below EPA’s legal limit of 4.0 ppm. Its highest single sample was 0.29 ppm. That was also the latest year on file. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 0.052 ppm, in 2018.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Fluoride Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Fluoride”
PFBS
Comes from the source
15.7ppt
Highest sample, Sept. 28, 2026; found in 28 of 33
2026 average: 4.8 ppt
The highest sample was 15.7 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 12 samples averaged 4.8 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Total PFAS Reduction”
21 compounds tested and not foundBelow the reporting level in every sample. Not found is not the same as zero.
From routine monitoring
- Chromium (total)
PFAS, from Pennsylvania’s own monitoring
- 11Cl-PF3OUdS
- 4:2 FTS
- 6:2 FTS
- 8:2 FTS
- 9Cl-PF3ONS
- ADONA
- HFPO-DA (GenX)
- NFDHA
- PFBA
- PFDA
- PFDoA
- PFEESA
- PFHpA
- PFHpS
- PFHxA
- PFMBA
- PFMPA
- PFPeA
- PFPeS
- PFUnA
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: PFOA Reduction, PFOS Reduction, Copper Reduction, Lead Reduction, Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge), Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction
For: PFOA, PFOS, Copper, Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic
Other certifiers’ wording: Total PFAS Reduction; Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA); Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS); Arsenic (III) (50 ppb influent level)
- NSF/ANSI 58
Claims: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Copper Reduction, Lead Reduction, Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction, Uranium, Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction
For: PFOA, PFOS, Copper, Lead, Nitrate, Uranium, Arsenic
Other certifiers’ wording: Nitrate; 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
Countertop reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS, Copper, Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic
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: PFOA, PFOS, Copper, Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic
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: PFOA, PFOS, Copper, Lead, Arsenic
Culligan 10-Cup Pitcher with ZeroWater Technology (ZEROP10)
Pitcher
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS, Copper, Lead, Nitrate
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: PFOA, PFOS, Copper, Lead
The best water filters for PFAS, ranked
Violations since 2016
No health-based violations on file with EPA since 2016. There are 60 monitoring or reporting violations: a sample missed, late or not reported.
What this report can’t tell you
Everything else. Nitrate, uranium, arsenic, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), haloacetic acids (HAA5), fluoride and chromium (total) results here are Pennsylvania’s own from 2020 on, with EPA’s national file for 2012 to 2019. East Berlin Area Joint Auth’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 Sept. 28, 2026; Pennsylvania’s PFAS results run from March 6, 2024 to Sept. 28, 2026.
Testing your own tap
The 3 labs Pennsylvania certifies closest to the area East Berlin Area Joint Auth serves, in a straight line. Call first: certification is test by test, and not every lab takes samples from homeowners.
Laboratory, Analytical and Biological Services, Inc
New Oxford, PA · about 6 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, lead and copper, metals, minerals and other inorganics
ALS Environmental - Middletown
Middletown, PA · about 22 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, lead and copper, metals, minerals and other inorganics, organic chemicals, disinfection byproducts, PFAS, radioactivity
H2O Environmental LLC
Harrisburg, PA · about 24 miles
Certified for bacteria
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 PA7010003. Rebuilt from EPA data on Oct. 18, 2026.
What to do next
- Read up on the 7 results above a lineWhat each one does to health, where it comes from, and the certification claim that addresses it.Start with PFOA
- Get the utility’s own reportEast Berlin Area Joint Auth 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