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Is Scotland, PA tap water safe?

2 utilities serve Scotland, by EPA’s records. Here is what EPA’s and Pennsylvania’s records show for each, against the legal limits and the stricter health goals.

Matched to your utility using EPA records.

The short answer

2 of the 2 utilities serving Scotland have a result above a legal limit or action level, or a health-based violation since 2016, in EPA’s and Pennsylvania’s records: Guilford Water Auth and Bear Valley Joint Auth.

Guilford Water Auth, which serves the most people here, has nothing above a health goal in EPA’s and Pennsylvania’s records. That data covers what its report lists, not everything.

A town can be served by more than one utility, and some homes are on private wells. The name on your water bill tells you which is yours, and your ZIP code narrows it down. They are listed by how many people each serves in Scotland’s ZIP codes, from EPA’s estimates.

Water testing near Scotland

A utility tests the water it sends out. A test of your own tap shows what your pipes add, and on a private well it is the only test there is. It takes a lab Pennsylvania certifies.

The 3 labs Pennsylvania certifies closest to Scotland, in a straight line. Call first: certification is test by test, and not every lab takes samples from homeowners.

  • SPL-Chambersburg

    Chambersburg, PA · about 4 miles

    Certified for bacteria

    (717) 263-9970

  • Laboratory, Analytical and Biological Services, Inc

    New Oxford, PA · about 28 miles

    Certified for bacteria, nitrate, lead and copper, metals, minerals and other inorganics

    (717) 259-6550

  • H2O Environmental LLC

    Harrisburg, PA · about 49 miles

    Certified for bacteria

    (717) 743-9310

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 Pennsylvania

ZIP codes in Scotland

Which ZIP codes are in Scotland: Census 2020 relationship files. Which utilities serve them, and how many people: EPA SDWIS and EPA’s service area map. Each utility’s results: EPA UCMR 5, EPA SDWIS, and EPA’s and the state’s compliance monitoring, as its report lists them. How they are measured: methodology. Certified labs: Pennsylvania DEP Laboratory Accreditation Program, accredited labs for drinking water; distances from the Census 2020 ZIP code tabulation area gazetteer.

Near Scotland

Other towns in Franklin County with a page of their own.

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