Pennsylvania · population 96,000
Lead pipes in Reading, PA
256 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Reading (population 96,000) gets its water from Reading Area Water Authority. That system reported 2 lead and 254 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 34,305, with 20,112 more of unknown material.
0.7% of Reading Area Water Authority's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Pennsylvania average (2.9%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead <0.1%
- Galvanized (replace) 0.7%
- Unknown 59%
- Non-lead 41%
Latest lead test for Reading Area Water Authority (Jun 2025–Sep 2025): not detected at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for Reading Area Water Authority.
Water systems serving Reading
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Area Water AuthorityMain system | 2 | 254 | 20,112 | 0.7% |
| West Reading Boro WaterServes nearby areas | 1 | 57 | 1,253 | 3.8% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Reading
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Reading Area Water Authority's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- West Reading58 lead + galv. lines
- Mount Penn101 lead + galv. lines
- Wyomissing24 lead + galv. lines
- Kenhorst256 lead + galv. lines
- Shillington43 lead + galv. lines
- St. Lawrence101 lead + galv. lines
- Laureldale107 lead + galv. lines
- Mohnton43 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Reading, PA have lead pipes?
Yes. Reading Area Water Authority, which serves Reading, reported 2 lead and 254 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 20,112 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Reading?
EPA's service area maps place most of Reading in Reading Area Water Authority's service area (PWSID PA3060059). West Reading Boro Water also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Reading home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Reading Area Water Authority's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Reading be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Reading Area Water Authority whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.