F0/100
PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 1,600,000 people · Pennsylvania
Water Source
Surface Water
County
—
System ID
PA1510001
Violations
66
Contaminant Test Results
3 contaminants above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
PFOA | 0.008 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Over Limit |
PFOS | 0.005 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Over Limit |
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.002 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
4
Violations (last 5yr)
1
Unresolved
0
Health-Related
TIER 3Unresolved
Missed required monitoring deadline
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: September 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved
Missed required monitoring deadline
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved
Missed required monitoring deadline
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: June 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved
Missed required monitoring deadline
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: June 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
Understanding violation severity
Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions About PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT
Is PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT water safe to drink?
PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 2 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 66 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.
What contaminants has PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT detected?
76 contaminants were tested in PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT's water. Notable contaminants include PFOA, PFOS, Lead (90th percentile). 2 exceed EPA legal limits (MCLs). 3 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT have any EPA violations?
Yes, PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT has 66 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2025. Violation types include MR, TT, Other. 14 are health-based violations.
How many people does PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT serve?
PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT serves approximately 1,600,000 people, Pennsylvania.
What type of water does PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT provide?
PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT sources its water from surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is PA1510001.
How does PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT compare to other utilities in Pennsylvania?
PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT scores 0/100 with a grade of F (failing). This score suggests significant water quality concerns relative to other utilities. Visit our Pennsylvania state page for a full comparison of water systems.