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City water profile

Erie water quality

Compare local ZIP estimates, evidence quality, associated public systems, and compliance history for Erie, Pennsylvania.

Median indexed hardness

83PPM

12 indexed ZIPs

Range 81–85.5 PPM

State comparison
1 PPM below
State hardness rank
#35 of 50
Matched utilities
1
Active health records
0

City summary

What the indexed records say

Erie has 12 published ZIP profiles across Erie County. The indexed median is 83 PPM, compared with 84 PPM across Pennsylvania.

Among the 50 Pennsylvaniacities with an indexed median, Erie ranks #35from highest to lowest. Across all 139 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 43to 166.5 PPM.

The 81–85.5 PPM range shows how much the available ZIP estimates vary within the city label. At least one estimate is marked low confidence, so observation distance and date deserve extra attention.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft0 ZIPs
Moderately hard12 ZIPs
Hard0 ZIPs
Very hard0 ZIPs

12 of 12 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance
24.7 miles
Profiles with evidence
12/12

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 9Low: 3

Observation window: Jan 25, 2016 to Jun 15, 2026.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Erie

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

16501

Moderately Hard

81 PPM

Nearest site
24 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

16502

Moderately Hard

81 PPM

Nearest site
23.1 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

16503

Moderately Hard

84 PPM

Nearest site
25.4 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

16504

Moderately Hard

84 PPM

Nearest site
25.3 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

16505

Moderately Hard

81 PPM

Nearest site
22.4 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

16506

Moderately Hard

84 PPM

Nearest site
18.9 mi
Confidence
Moderate

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ZIP code

16507

Moderately Hard

81 PPM

Nearest site
25 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

16508

Moderately Hard

81 PPM

Nearest site
23 mi
Confidence
Moderate

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ZIP code

16509

Moderately Hard

85.5 PPM

Nearest site
23.9 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

16510

Moderately Hard

84 PPM

Nearest site
29.5 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

16546

Moderately Hard

84 PPM

Nearest site
24.9 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

16550

Moderately Hard

81 PPM

Nearest site
24.7 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Erie City Water Authority

PWSID PA6250028

Surface water
System population served
220,001
Last reported
Jun 15, 2026

A municipal system, in-state city, and served county all agree with this Census ZCTA.

Compliance history

What EPA records show

No active health-based violation appears among the associated systems in the represented EPA reporting quarter. This does not mean every contaminant was tested at every tap.

RecordSystemPeriodStatus
Revised Total Coliform RulePA6250028Apr 1, 2026Archived
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RulePA6250028Feb 1, 2026Resolved
Revised Total Coliform RulePA6250028Aug 11, 2025Resolved
Revised Total Coliform RulePA6250028Sep 1, 2024Resolved
Surface Water Treatment RulePA6250028Feb 1, 2024Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RulePA6250028Aug 1, 2023Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RulePA6250028Jul 1, 2023Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)PA6250028Apr 1, 2023Resolved
TTHMPA6250028Apr 1, 2023Resolved
CARBON, TOTALPA6250028Dec 1, 2022Resolved

Practical next steps

Move from index to evidence

  1. 1. Open your ZIP. Check distance, dates, confidence, and the associated utility.
  2. 2. Read the current CCR. Confirm source water, detections, limits, ranges, and notices.
  3. 3. Test the tap when needed. Confirm health concerns or treatment sizing with the right method.

Questions people ask

About water in Erie

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 83 PPM. Open the ZIP report to verify the distance and confidence behind that estimate.

Is the tap water safe?

Compliance history is utility-wide and cannot guarantee conditions at every tap. Check current notices and test when address-specific evidence is needed.

Do I need treatment?

Choose treatment only after confirming the problem at the property. A softener targets hardness; contaminant treatment requires a matching, verified performance claim.