Allentown PA Water Report: PFAS, Lead, and What to Do

Allentown tap water has 7 contaminants above independent health guidelines — including PFAS from Lehigh Valley industrial sites, trihalomethanes (TTHMs) linked to cancer, and lead from aging pipes in homes built before 1986. The city's water meets federal EPA standards, but those standards haven't been updated for most contaminants in decades. Home filtration is the only way to address the full contamination profile.

Allentown is Pennsylvania's third-largest city and the economic anchor of the Lehigh Valley. Its water system draws from the Little Lehigh Creek, the Lehigh River, and local springs — surface water sources that pick up contamination from upstream industry, agriculture, and urban runoff before reaching the treatment plant.

PFAS in the Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley has a long industrial history — steel manufacturing, cement production, chemical processing, and nearby military installations. All of these leave PFAS footprints in groundwater and surface water sources.

Confirmed PFAS contamination sites affecting Allentown-area water:

• Willow Grove Naval Air Station / Horsham (Montgomery County)
• Former steel and cement facilities across the valley
• Regional firefighting training sites
• Airports and airfields using firefighting foam historically

PFAS ("forever chemicals") don't break down — they accumulate in the environment and in the human body over years of exposure. Linked health effects include kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, and immune system suppression. They're especially concerning for pregnant women and young children.

Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) — A Major Concern

Allentown's drinking water comes from surface water sources with high organic content. When the water utility adds chlorine to disinfect the water, it reacts with that organic matter to form trihalomethanes (TTHMs) — a group of chemicals including chloroform that are classified as probable human carcinogens.

The EPA's legal limit for TTHMs is 80 parts per billion, but that limit was set in 1998 based on older research. Independent health-based guidelines recommend TTHMs below 0.15 ppb — a level Allentown water regularly exceeds.

Long-term TTHM exposure has been linked to:

• Bladder cancer (most well-documented)
• Colon cancer
• Reproductive issues and miscarriage
• Adverse birth outcomes

You can't taste or smell TTHMs at typical levels. The only way to know your exposure is testing.

Lead from Aging Pipes

Allentown was founded in 1762. Much of the city's infrastructure predates modern plumbing standards. The city has an active lead service line replacement program, but:

• Replacement is prioritized by risk, not speed
• Homeowners are often responsible for the pipe portion on their property
• Many homes have internal lead plumbing that isn't addressed by service line replacement
• Solder in pipes from before 1986 can also leach lead

If your Allentown home was built before 1986, assume lead is possible in your water path. Signs include:

• Older two-story row homes common in downtown neighborhoods
• Homes near Center City and West Allentown
• Any home with original plumbing fixtures

Lead exposure causes learning disabilities in children, cardiovascular disease in adults, and kidney damage. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water.

Water Hardness

Allentown water tests at 155 PPM hardness (9.1 grains per gallon) — classified as "hard water." This causes:

• Scale buildup in water heaters, reducing efficiency 20-40%
• Clogged showerheads and faucets requiring regular cleaning
• Soap scum and residue on skin, hair, and surfaces
• Shorter appliance life (washers, dishwashers, coffee makers)
• Higher detergent use and energy costs

Lehigh Valley hard water isn't unique, but combined with the region's contamination profile, it reinforces the case for whole-house treatment.

Nitrates from Agricultural Runoff

The Lehigh River and Little Lehigh Creek drain large agricultural areas. Spring rains wash nitrates (from fertilizer) and atrazine (herbicide) into the watershed. These contaminants spike seasonally and are particularly concerning for infants under six months — nitrates can cause "blue baby syndrome."

How to Protect Your Allentown Home

The right water treatment for Allentown homes depends on your specific water issues, but most homes need to address:

1. PFAS — requires activated carbon block or reverse osmosis

2. Chlorine + TTHMs — activated carbon removes both

3. Lead — NSF-53 certified filters or whole-house treatment

4. Hardness — water softener (ion exchange)

5. Nitrates — reverse osmosis or anion exchange

A whole-house filtration + softening system addresses all of these simultaneously. This protects every tap and shower — which matters because skin absorbs PFAS and chlorine during showering, and inhaling chlorinated shower steam concentrates exposure.

Under-sink reverse osmosis alone only protects drinking water from your kitchen tap. For total home protection, whole-house is the gold standard.

Free Water Test for Allentown Homes

Aquaworld Alkalino provides free on-site water testing throughout Allentown and the Lehigh Valley. A certified technician comes to your home, tests your water at the tap, and shows you exactly what's in it — no cost, no obligation. See our Allentown service area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Allentown tap water safe to drink?

Allentown tap water meets federal EPA standards, but has 7 contaminants above independent health guidelines. PFAS, TTHMs (cancer-linked chlorine byproducts), and lead from aging pipes are the main concerns. Long-term health risks are cumulative.

Does Allentown have PFAS in drinking water?

Yes. PFAS have been detected in Lehigh Valley water sources at levels affecting Allentown and surrounding municipalities. Sources include former industrial sites and regional military installations with firefighting foam history.

What are TTHMs and why do they matter?

Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) are formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. They're classified as probable human carcinogens and linked to bladder cancer, colon cancer, and miscarriage. Allentown's surface water source means TTHMs are a persistent issue.

Is there lead in Allentown water?

Allentown has active lead service line replacement, but many homes built before 1986 still have lead plumbing in their service lines or internal pipes. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water, especially for children.

How do I test my Allentown home's water?

Aquaworld Alkalino offers free on-site water testing throughout Allentown and the Lehigh Valley. A certified technician tests your water at the tap and shows you the results immediately. Schedule your free water test.