Penn Township residents and businesses receive drinking water through public water systems or private wells. The Northwestern Lancaster County Authority (NWLCA) owns the public water system serving portions of Penn Township, which is operated by Penn Township. The Manheim Area Sewer & Water Authority (MAWSA) provides public water service to portions of southern Penn Township.
Properties outside the public water service areas generally rely on private wells for drinking water.
The NWLCA Water Treatment Plant, located at 306 Doe Run Road, provides drinking water treatment for the NWLCA public water system. The facility began operating in 2012 and includes microfiltration and nitrate removal treatment processes.
The facility and its water sources are an important part of providing a reliable public drinking water supply to the areas served by the NWLCA system.
The property surrounding the Water Treatment Plant also includes the Township’s Sustainability Site, which demonstrates stormwater management and water-quality practices. The site includes a walking trail and educational features designed to help visitors learn about practices that can help protect local water resources.
Learn more about the Water Quality Enhancement Projects →
Water Quality Reports
The NWLCA publishes an annual report containing information about drinking water quality, testing results, water sources, and other information about the public water system.
View Annual Water Quality Reports →
Private Wells
Properties that are not served by a public water system generally rely on private wells. Private well owners are responsible for maintaining their wells and ensuring the quality of their drinking water.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides information for private well owners about well construction, maintenance, water testing, and protecting groundwater.
Private Well Information – PA DEP →
Disinfection of Home Wells and Springs →
Source Water Protection Plan
The Northwestern Lancaster County Authority (NWLCA) and Manheim Area Sewer & Water Authority (MAWSA) developed a joint Source Water Protection Plan to help protect the groundwater that supplies their public drinking water systems.
Because the two water systems draw from the same regional groundwater resources, protecting these water sources requires cooperation across municipal and service-area boundaries.
The plan identifies areas that contribute groundwater to public water supply wells and outlines measures that can help protect those sources from potential contamination.
Source Water Protection Resources