Well water in Lancaster County, PA
What Penn State well tests show for Lancaster County, compared with Pennsylvania as a whole.
About 42% of the Lancaster County well samples Penn State tested were positive for coliform bacteria, close to the statewide rate. Compared with the rest of Pennsylvania, it stands out for nitrate (25% vs. 4% statewide) and lead in first-draw samples (12% vs. 9% statewide).
What local well tests found
| Test (share of samples over the guideline) | Lancaster County | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Total coliform bacteria | 41.5% | 44.1% |
| E. coli bacteria | 10.3% | 10.6% |
| Corrosivity (likely to eat pipes) | 68.4% | 65.9% |
| pH outside 6.5 to 8.5 | 17.7% | 16.6% |
| Manganese (stains) | 14.7% | 22.3% |
| Iron (stains) | 8.7% | 17.2% |
| Lead, first-draw sample | 12.1% | 8.9% |
| Arsenic | 0.8% | 5.5% |
| Nitrate | 24.8% | 4.1% |
| Typical hardness (median) | 6.4 gpg | 5.0 gpg |
Source: Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Lab, Lancaster County summary (555 samples) and statewide summary (24,726 samples), tested 2007 to 2025. These are wells whose owners chose to test, often because of a problem, so rates may run higher than for all wells. Some tests had fewer samples than others.
Problems to watch for here
What to do next
- Test, if you haven't in a year. See testing options and prices.
- Read your results. Use our results tool, or upload a photo of your report.
- Get a fair quote if something needs fixing.
Get a free in-home water screening
One trusted local company checks your water at home and gives you a written quote. Free, with no obligation.