Drinking Water

Quality Report

We have three drinking water treatment plants in Philadelphia…

2024 • Published in 2025

PWD’s Public Water System Identification # PA1510001

City of Philadelphia | Philadelphia Water Department

…But our water quality story is bigger than our borders.

A message from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)

Providing top-quality water today, tomorrow, and beyond.

The past year has marked various advancements in the department’s drinking water treatment and delivery. We’re continuing our established work while adopting new processes.

Throughout the last year, we have made major strides in lead plumbing and water quality initiatives. Every division across the department has been involved with developing and implementing PWD’s emerging lead-related programs. Staff are piloting new programs to identify and remove lead from plumbing in properties across the city. We’re also conducting free water testing at schools and childcare facilities.

Our staff is dedicated to going beyond what is required, as we value our customers’ experiences. Over the past year, PWD hosted both in-person and virtual meetings to inform residents of these new regulations.

Additionally, due to new Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) standards, we’re in the planning phases to upgrade drinking water treatment plants with new technologies to meet these federal standards when they begin in a few years.

We’re also planning beyond the foreseeable future.

The new decades-long Water Revitalization Plan will allow us to continue to provide safe and reliable drinking water for future generations. The plan will ensure system-wide resiliency for a range of emergency conditions.

We are so proud of our diligent and hardworking staff across the department who are ensuring that safe, reliable drinking water gets delivered to Philadelphia homes every day.

Belmont Drinking Water Treatment Plant

Queen Lane Drinking Water Treatment Plant

Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant

Water treatment operations began on these sites over 100 years ago. Many of the current buildings that comprise our treatment plants were built over 60 years ago, dating to the 1950s and 60s.

An employee wearing medium gray waders, a white sweatshirt, and purple rubber gloves stands in a shallow stream using a glass jar to collect a water sample.
Monitoring source water to promote health and safety

We study PFAS and other potentially harmful chemicals from industry in the region.

A scientist with warm brown skin, short dark hair and a moustache, wearing a safety goggles over black-framed glasses, blue disposable gloves, and a white lab coat over a dark gray zip-up sweatshirt, stands by a lab table examining a water sample bottle. Four more bottles are lined up on the lab table with an automatic pipette, and various equipment is visible in the background.
Protecting properties with lead plumbing

We have been working for decades to protect Philadelphians from lead getting into water from plumbing.

An employee with warm brown skin and long dark hair stands smiling outside the front doors of the Queen Lane Water Treatment Plant, wearing a blue PWD baseball cap and a sweater with wide stripes starting with white at the collar to light pink, bright pink, a dark pinkish burgundy, navy, and coral.
High-quality staff, high-quality results

The experts working at our treatment plants take pride in using water drawn from our local rivers. Hundreds of millions of gallons of top-quality drinking water are produced every day.

Aerial view of the Torresdale Pump Station under construction, with heavy machinery, orange temporary fencing, and segments of large black piping stacked on the perimeter.
Revitalizing water storage and distribution

The Water Revitalization Plan will allow us to create a drinking water system that can respond to events like natural disasters or emergencies.

Table of Contents

Close up shot of a Philly Water Bar "bartender" pouring fresh cold Philly Tap Water from a clear plastic pitcher bearing the PWD logo and frosted with cold into a paper cone a visitor holds out. A stack of paper drinking cones, a colorful wheel visitors can spin, and the bartenders’ bright teal t-shirts and royal blue aprons fill the background.
Introduction
A view of a wide stream, with the photo divided rather neatly into three horizontal bands - the top third shows a clear blue sky, the middle is full of green deciduous trees and dense undergrowth visible along the bank, and the bottom third shows a wide, calm stream that appears greenish in shadow of the trees, lightening to the bottom edge of the photo where you can see the sandy bottom, with bits of sky blue reflected on the ripples.
1: Source

Philly’s local water sources

Four employees of our Queen Lane Drinking Water Treatment Plant, a mix of ages and races yet all sporting fine beards, pose leaning against a railing on a walkway over sedimentation tanks.
2: Treatment

What we do to keep water safe

The camera looks into the end of a section of water main propped on several stacks of thick wooden boards as workers in hard hats, gloves, and reflective safety vests are seen around its edges preparing it to be lifted into place by a crane waiting in the background.
3: Delivery

Safe transit through the system

Two kids are sitting on steps with thick slate treads and brick risers. One is visible from the chest down, wearing a black leather jacket over a blue t-shirt and sparkly black leggings, with white lace-up boots, with her legs crossed, one hand on her knee and the other on a black basketball. Another, sitting on a higher step, can only be seen from below the knee, wearing brown pants and yellow Chuck Taylors, with a pink backpack leaning against a leg. Both have blue translucent water bottles with the PWD logo on them, mostly full of water. The shadow of a third person and a clear PWD water bottle can be seen in the corner.
4: At your taps

The final stretch to your tap

2024 Data tables & more

Sharing this report

water.phila.gov/2024-quality

Cover page of PWD's 2024 Drinking Water Quality Report
View as PDF

Please share this report with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand and mail.

To receive a printed copy of this report, please email: waterquality@phila.gov

Contact Information

Philadelphia Water Department
1101 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 190107

Public Water System ID #PA1510001

Brian Rademaekers
Public Information Officer, Public Affairs
(215) 380-9327

People with special health concerns

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.

Immuno-compromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS and other immune system disorders, and some elderly people and infants can be particularly at risk from infections.

These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of drinking water contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.

Look for these quick guides throughout the report:

A Closer Look

a hypothetical example of a bar chart shows four light blue rectangles at different heights

Charts and graphs let you see the data in a new way.

Here’s the story of why we do this test

Handwritten notes explain how and why we do these tests.

☑RESULT:

All results are better than the recommended federal levels.

Look here for key takeaways.

1

Source

Your water begins in freshwater streams

Philadelphia’s water comes from the Delaware River Watershed. The watershed begins in New York State and extends 330 miles south to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. The Schuylkill River is part of the Delaware River Watershed.

Protection starts at the sources

We take a holistic approach, beginning with Philadelphia’s water supply. We monitor waterways across the watershed and look for potential sources of contamination. We keep track of water availability and flow.

Three PWD team members walk along the bed of a shallow creek, monitoring the condition of the tributary before it joins a larger waterway upstream of our plant intakes.

Our wide range of tools for protecting water sources includes:

Research
  • We study regional influences, such as natural gas drilling, and global influences like sea level rise.
Projects in the field
  • We protect against stormwater and agricultural runoff.
  • We monitor water contaminants.
Partnerships
  • We team up with organizations across the region to protect our entire watershed.

Philadelphia source watersheds

   Delaware River Watershed

   Schuylkill River Watershed

A map showing the Delaware and Schuylkill River Watersheds, which supply Philadelphia's water. The map includes the entire eastern border of Pennsylvania, most of New Jersey, and a bit of Delaware and Maryland (which aren't labeled). The Delaware watershed covers and loosely follows that border,, extending farther west into PA than it does east into NJ. It includes Allentown, Reading, and Philadelphia, PA, Trenton New Jersey, and downstream of us, Wilmington, DE. Scranton is included on the map but is outside the watershed. The Schuylkill watershed is a subsection of the Delaware's, on the west side, extending from north and west of Reading southeast to Philadelphia, where the Schuylkill River joins the Delaware.
A PWD employee stands in a shallow section of an upstream waterway, collecting a sample of water for testing.

⮝ Routine testing for PFAS

We collect samples upstream and within the city’s waterways. We also test the finished, treated water we deliver to our 1.6 million customers.

Treating water to remove “Forever” Chemicals

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of long-lasting chemicals used in consumer products. Long-term exposure can have adverse health effects, but our goal is to ensure your water is safe.

PFAS can pollute our region’s water sources, which supply drinking water to millions. PFAS contamination can be found globally in air, water, and food.

Pennsylvania set drinking water standards for two PFAS compounds known as PFOS and PFOA. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also set a stricter national limit for some PFAS substances. As of May 2025, those limits will apply to drinking water in 2029.

What we are doing

We can use advanced treatment processes to remove PFAS from water. We’re currently testing these new treatment methods at our plants. To effectively inform treatment, our scientists have been monitoring our rivers for years.

See the results at water.phila.gov/pfas

A Closer Look

PFAS

Human-made PFAS chemicals, such as PFOS and PFOA, don’t easily break down, so they can pollute our water sources. We monitor for PFAS and test levels in treated water.

Good to know: Treatment can help reduce PFAS levels in water. We’re planning major upgrades for PFAS at our treatment plants and preparing to meet updated regulatory limits.

Most recent results
A chart shows the state limit for PFOA at 14.0 ppt and PWD's Running Annual Averages for our three plants ranging from 2.5 – 7.3 ppt. The neighboring chart for PFOS indicates the state limit at 18.0 ppt, with PWD's plants averaging 0 – 5.5 ppt.
What this means for you

We must be ready to meet even stricter limits as regulations evolve.

☑Result:

Better than standards.

2

Treatment

Drinking Water Treatment Plants

An important early step in water’s journey.

We have three drinking water treatment plants.

Baxter pulls water from the Delaware River. Queen Lane and Belmont pull from the Schuylkill.

Each plant has a service area. Some areas in Philadelphia can receive a mix from multiple treatment plants.

Use this map or enter your address to see where your water is treated:

a simplified map of Philadelphia shows the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers, with Market and Broad Streets indicated for reference. PWD’s three drinking water treatment plants are displayed - Belmont on the northern edge of West Philly, Queen Lane on the other side of the Schuylkill in the northwest, and Baxter up in the Northeast by the Delaware. Areas of the city are shaded in different colors and patterns to indicate which plant(s) provide water to those sections - Belmont is the primary source for the part of Philadelphia west of the Schuylkill - most of that area also recieves a mix of water from the other plants, with only a strip in the northern part of West Philly being served exclusively by the Belmont plant. Queen Lane serves Northwest Philadelphia, and Baxter serves all of the North and Northeast. Those areas meet around north Broad Street, with sections around and slightly west of Broad, and much of Center City and all of South Philly receiving a mix of water from Queen Lane and Baxter.
key indicating what the colors/patterns of shading in the map mean (map's alt text provides a detailed description)

Note: This map reflects typical day‑to‑day operations. Areas receiving a mix may be altered in emergency situations.

Typical Treatment Processes

These are some of the stages water goes through during normal operating conditions.

Raw water is drawn from our rivers by pumping stations that transport it to our Water Treatment plants, where it undergoes six stages of treatment: 1, Natural Sedimentation, where Potassium permanganate is added and water is allowed to sit so particles can naturally settle to the bottom. 2, Chemical Addition, where Ferric Chloride, Lime, and Sodium hypochlorite are added. 3, Flocculation. 4, Sedimentation. More Sodium hypochlorite is added on the way to step 5, Filtration. 6, Final Chemical Treatment, where Fluoride, Zinc Orthophosphate, Ammonia, and more Sodium Hypochlorite are added, before water is pumped out through our Distribution system.

Before water leaves the plant

We test our treated water for about 100 regulated contaminants, ranging from organisms, like bacteria, to chemicals like nitrate.

a scientist with short salt and pepper hair and close cropped beard, wearing a white lab coat and black glasses is seen in profile, peering into a microscope with pencil in hand.

Final touches

Chlorine + Ammonia

Chlorine protects us from organisms found in untreated water that can cause disease. Ammonia is added to make the chlorine last longer and reduce the bleach-like smell.

Fluoride

All water contains some fluoride. We adjust the natural levels slightly to help protect your teeth against decay.

Zinc orthophosphate

Zinc orthophosphate is a compound that helps form a protective coating on pipes. It prevents corrosion (or breaking down over time).

A Closer Look

Turbidity

Turbidity is a measurement of cloudiness from particles. A high turbidity reading means there are a lot of particles in the water. They could be sand, silt, or organic particles.

We monitor turbidity because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.

Good to know: Turbidity is different from the cloudiness you sometimes see when air bubbles are trapped in your tap water. Air bubbles usually disappear after a few minutes.

How we test for turbidity
To test for turbidity, a sample is placed between a light source and a detector. If the water is turbid, less light can penetrate through the sample to reach the detector. In clear water, more light is able to pass through to be detected on the other side.

In turbid water, light shines into water and bounces off particles.

In clear water, light passes directly through to the detector.

2024 Average Results
Turbidity is measured with an instrument called a nephelometer. Measurements are given in NTU (nephelometric turbidity units). A bold line at the top of the chart indicates we must keep 95% of samples at or below 0.300 NTU. Dots for the three Drinking Water Treatment Plants are all well below that, right around the 0.100 line, with Belmont a bit below it (actual highest value 0.097 NTU), and the others a bit above it (Queen Lane topped out at 0.103 NTU and Baxter at 0.104 NTU).
What this means for you

Why can high turbidity lead to a drinking water warning?
Turbidity itself has no health effects. However, it can interfere with disinfection. If we can’t measure turbidity during disinfection, we can’t be sure the process has worked properly.

☑Result:

Our water samples are consistently less turbid than limits set by the EPA.

3

Delivery

A safe path through the system

We have about 3,100 miles of water mains that deliver clean tap to customers. To ensure water stays safe as it moves from the plant to you, we take samples and monitor real-time water quality data, 24/7.

Three people, two of whom are wearing jackets with the Philadelphia Water Department logo on the back, are seen from behind walking into a fire station through an open double garage bay door with a fire engine parked on the right side.

We travel the city to collect samples of drinking water from fire and police stations, pumping stations, and more.

A Closer Look

Residual Chlorine

This test is done throughout the system. It checks that the chlorine added at plants remains at levels that keep water fresh and safe while staying within regulations.

Most recent results
A chart showing the range of acceptable levels of Residual Chlorine in parts per million (ppm). The lowest level allowed is indicated at 0.2 ppm, while the highest level allowed is indicated at 4.0 ppm. PWD’s monthly average is shown to be right in the middle, indicated as a range shaded with diagonal lines from a little below below 2.0 to just under 2.5 ppm. (Exact range is 1.73–2.33 ppm)
What this means for you

Residents ask us how we’re sure water is safe after it leaves the plants. These tests confirm we have proper levels of disinfection.

We do over 400 of these tests every month!

☑Result:

Better than standards.

Spotlight:
Water Revitalization Plan

Upgrading our infrastructure

The Water Revitalization Plan (WRP) is our plan to strengthen essential drinking water infrastructure.

Why are we doing this now?

Like many older cities, our drinking water facilities are showing their age. We need to upgrade these facilities.

Without these improvements, we may face unplanned, costly, and disruptive repairs.

What will revitalization mean for Philadelphians?

These projects will:
  • Improve water service for everyone in Philadelphia
  • Develop a drinking water system better prepared for natural disasters and emergencies
  • Deliver safe and reliable drinking water for generations to come
  • Create jobs in Philadelphia
  • Encourage partnerships with local small businesses

Tapping into the community

The Plan’s Stakeholder Advisory Group is comprised of community members with a vested interest in these projects.

Members apply to join the group. They share their voice, time, and expertise to raise awareness of the Plan. They highlight how these projects will improve drinking water across our communities. They share important updates with their community and collect feedback for PWD.

Sign up to receive project news & learn how you can get involved.

⮞ water.phila.gov​/revitalization

An ambitious approach

The Water Revitalization Plan identified approximately 400 projects focused on the improvement of existing facilities and the construction of several new facilities.

Key projects include:
  • Schuylkill River Crossing (Water Transmission Main)
  • Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant upgrades
  • Belmont Drinking Water Treatment Plant upgrades and expansion
  • Queen Lane Drinking Water Treatment Plant replacement

Highlight: Pump Station Upgrades

We are upgrading the Torresdale Treated Water Pump Station in Northeast Philadelphia.

Pump stations like this need crucial updates to prepare for climate change and extreme weather events.

We estimate the work will be complete in 2027*.

* Dates are subject to change.

Aerial view of the Torresdale Pump Station under construction, with heavy machinery, orange temporary fencing, and segments of large black piping stacked on the perimeter.

4

At your taps

Water where you live, work, and play

When water leaves a water main, it enters a property’s service line. From there, the property’s plumbing system carries water to the taps or fixtures we use every day at home, school, or work.

A child, visible only from the waist and elbows down, wearing a black jacket and leggings with white lace-up boots with black laces, is sitting on some outdoor stairs with brick risers and stone slab treads. Her legs are crossed at the ankles, two steps below the one she's seated on, and her hands are folded on her knee. A reusable water bottle with the PWD logo and a black basket ball rest on the step above her feet. Another child's feet (in brown pants and white Chuck Taylor sneakers), water bottle, and pink backpack can be seen in the top right corner as well.

Approximately

1 in 3

customers don’t trust the pipes in their home.

Our most recent annual Customer Survey shows 34% of customers don’t trust their pipes at home. Flushing (see the next section) is an excellent way to trust your tap water!

Source: 2024 PWD Comprehensive Survey Report

We hear you!

Thanks to customer surveys and neighborhood events like the Philly Water Bar, we hear loud and clear from the people of Philadelphia:

Safe drinking water is a top priority for our customers.

Patrons visiting the popup Philly Water Bar in the City Hall courtyard.

Does your tap water appear cloudy?

This is usually not a water quality issue. Water pressure in the main creates air bubbles in water. When you fill a glass with tap water, the bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass and are released at the top.

Call us to report a water quality issue if the bubbles don’t disappear after a few seconds.

Meet your service line

The service line is the pipe that carries clean water into your property from the city’s network of water mains. This pipe material can affect your water quality.

The service line connects the water main under the street to the water meter in the customer's basement. There is typically a "curb stop" in the middle that can be accessed from a port in the sidewalk.

Pipe materials

Newer service lines are made of a non-lead material, like copper or plastic. Older homes may have lead or galvanized metal in some part of their service line. If your home has a pipe with lead or galvanized metal, follow the instructions below. See more at water.phila.gov/lead.

For most properties, we don’t have complete records for buried portions of service lines. If the overall category for your line is “unknown“, it means we don’t have a complete record.

Service Line Material Map

Our online map shares any known records about the materials in your property’s service line. It also offers guidance based on each property’s records.

Explore the map:
water.phila.gov/service-line-map

You can view the map on your mobile device!

Illustration of a hand holding up a cell phone next to a computer monitor, with both screens showing the Service Line Map.

Flush your pipes

Run fast, cold water from a faucet for 3–5 minutes. This will flush out water that’s been sitting in your pipes.

When: If you haven’t used water for 6 hours or more — usually first thing in the morning when you wake up, or when you come home after work or school.

If your property has a lead service line: Flushing is important to do every day.

Cost: It costs only pennies (or less) per day!

How it works

When you run your tap, it pulls the old water sitting in pipes out and down your drain. Run the tap until fresh water from the main comes through. Use longer times if your property is set back further from the street.

Fresh water starts at
our water mains.

diagram shows a section of water main with an arrow labeled "start" pointing away from it, along a customer's service line. The pipe enters the basement, where the water meter is, and then another section of pipe carries it to the rest of the house. A second arrow points upward to the first fixture it reaches where water can be run, to flush the pipes, typically a basement utility sink or bathtub or sink with aerator removed on the lowest level with a bathroom.

Running the tap gets rid of water sitting in pipes.

If lead is found in water, the source is somewhere in a property’s plumbing

cutaway diagram of a small brick home typical of Philadelphia row houses, showing the service line bringing fresh water from the water main under the street, into the basement of the home, where the water meter is located, and then pipes carry the water to fixtures in the home.
a sink
In a home’s older fixtures & valves:

Lead can also be in solder where pipes are joined.

a small section of a property's service line is visible between the exterior wall (usually at the front of the property) and the building's water meter.
In a part of a service line:

This is one of the first places to look for lead.

Age matters:

Older fixtures and buildings are more likely to contain lead. Lead was used less after the 1950s, but fixtures and solder could still contain lead. Brass fixtures could contain lead until as late as 2014.

1 in 20

Estimated households with lead service lines in Philadelphia.

We have gathered a variety of sources for recent estimates, but this number is only an estimate. Further verification is needed.

Source: PWD Data

The good news?
We use Corrosion Control.

Zinc Orthophosphate, added during treatment, forms a protective coating on the inside of pipes.

For over 25 years, Philadelphia has successfully used this process to reduce the amount of lead that can dissolve from plumbing into water. However, different building plumbing systems and usage patterns can affect how well corrosion control works.

illustration of a pipe with very little buildup on the inside, so water can flow through it easily and remain clean and clear
With corrosion control
pipe shown with corrosion and residue built up on the inside, impeding the flow, and particles that have broken loose are visible in the water.
Without corrosion control

How do we know it works?
Tests at homes with lead plumbing show our treatment is working: corrosion control keeps lead levels below state and federal limits.

Replacing a lead service line

A worker wearing gloves, a hard hat, and reflective safety vest is seen from the knees up, standing in a hole in the sidewalk in front of a brick building, with a shovel poised to keep digging.
During planned water main construction

When we dig, we offer to replace any lead or galvanized metal service lines we uncover. This free service is only available on blocks where we replace water mains.

If we offer free service line replacement, a property owner must complete and submit a signed Service Line Replacement Authorization Form. We encourage property owners to sign these forms if they are offered this free service!

Loans for homeowners

We offer a zero-interest loan for replacing lead or galvanized metal service lines.

The Homeowners Emergency Loan Program (HELP) can cover the cost of a replacement.

⮞ Learn more & apply: www.phila.gov​/water/helploan

Hiring a private plumber

Customers can also hire a licensed and insured plumber to replace the line.

Two scientists, wearing white lab coats and safety glasses, at work in one of our labs. The one on the left is sitting at a lab table, using a computer. The one on the right is standing at another lab table, wearing blue disposable gloves, examining a water sample collection bottle, with several others lined up on the table. Various machines and a window are visible in the background.

Scientists in our labs analyze water samples collected in homes throughout Philadelphia.

A Closer Look

Carefully Monitoring Lead

In addition to regular tests in customer homes, we also perform rounds of sampling for lead and copper regulations.

We share the results with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the public.

The EPA requires that 90% of homes show lead levels less than 15 ppb.

Most recent results
lead levels plotted on a chart with a vertical scale of 0 to 16 parts per billion, with lines at 2 ppb intervals. The highest level allowed is indicated at 15 ppb. Results from 2016 are plotted with a dot between the 2 and 4 ppb lines, closer to 2. The 2017 indicator is just above 2 ppb. 2019 is marked slightly higher, about the same as 2016, and the 2022 indicator is back down to about 2 ppb. A note to the right says "The last 4 rounds of testing show levels well below limits." Below the chart, it says "For each round: We take samples from 50-100 homes that have lead service lines."
What this means for you

We use the results from our tests to optimize our corrosion control process on a regular basis. We’re collecting a new round of samples from customers during Summer 2025.

☑Result:

Results show our corrosion control process is effectively reducing the risks from lead plumbing.

From the EPA:

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing.

PWD is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water and removing lead pipes, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk. Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact PWD at (215) 685-6300.

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

+

2024 Data tables & more

An introduction to the results

All of PWD’s results are better than the required and recommended federal levels designed to protect public health.

This data shows how our process keeps your drinking water safe.

By reporting these results in these tables, we are meeting a requirement of the EPA.

Some contaminants may pose a health risk at certain levels to people with special health concerns. Others are used as indicators for treatment plant performance.

PPM vs. PPB vs. PPT

Many of these results are reported as “parts per million (ppm)” or “parts per billion (ppb)”.

ppm (parts per million):
Denotes 1 part per 1,000,000 parts, which is equivalent to two-thirds of a gallon in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

ppb (parts per billion):
Denotes 1 part per 1,000,000,000 parts, which is equivalent to half a teaspoon in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

ppt (parts per trillion):
Denotes 1 part per 1,000,000,000,000 parts, which is equivalent to one drop in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Illustration: GoodStudio / Shutterstock.com, and Philadelphia Water Department

Glossary

Here are definitions for some words and phrases we use in the report and in our data tables.

  • Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. The action level is not based on one sample; instead, it is based on many samples.
  • Alkalinity: A measure of the water’s ability to resist changes in the pH level and a good indicator of overall water quality. Although there is no health risk from alkalinity, we monitor it to check our treatment processes.
  • E. coli (Escherichia coli): A type of coliform bacteria that is associated with human and animal fecal waste.
  • gpg (grains per gallon): A unit of water hardness. One grain per gallon is equal to 17.1 parts per million.
  • Level 1 Assessment: A study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system.
  • Level 2 Assessment: A very detailed sturdy of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions.
  • Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA): We calculate the average of samples taken from each location every quarter (3 months), and then the average of the last four quarterly averages to get the LRAA.
  • MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
  • MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
  • MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfection Level): The highest level of disinfectant that is allowed in drinking water. The addition of a disinfectant is necessary for the control of microbial contaminants.
  • MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfection Level Goal): The level of a disinfectant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
  • Minimum Residual Disinfection Level: The minimum level of residual disinfectant required at the entry point to the distribution system
  • NTU (nephelometric turbidity units): Turbidity is measured with an instrument called a nephelometer. Measurements are given in nephelometric turbidity units.
  • Pathogens: Bacteria, virus, or other microorganisms that can cause disease.
  • pCi/L (Picocuries per liter): A measure of radioactivity.
  • ppm (parts per million): Denotes 1 part per 1,000,000 parts, which is equivalent to two thirds of a gallon in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
  • ppb (parts per billion): Denotes 1 part per 1,000,000,000 parts, which is equivalent to half a teaspoon in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
  • μg/L (Microgram per liter): One microgram per liter is equal to one part per billion.
  • ppt (parts per trillion): Denotes 1 part per 1,000,000,000,000 parts, which is equivalent to one drop in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
  • SMCL (Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level): Non-enforcable Federal water quality guidelines that are established for managing aesthetic and cosmetic conditions of water (e.g. taste, odor, color).
  • SOC (Synthetic Organic Chemical): Commercially made organic compounds, such as pesticides and herbicides.
  • Total Coliform: Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment. Their presence in drinking water may indicate that other potentially harmful bacteria are also present.
  • THAAs (Total Haloacetic Acids): A group of chemicals known as disinfection byproducts. These form when a disinfectant reacts with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in the water.
  • TOC (Total Organic Carbon): A measure of the carbon content of organic matter. This measure is used to indicate the amount of organic material in the water that could potentially react with a disinfectant to form disinfection byproducts.
  • TTHMs (Total Trihalomethanes): A group of chemicals known as disinfection byproducts. These form when a disinfectant reacts with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in the water.
  • Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
  • Turbidity: A measure of the clarity of water related to its particle content. Turbidity serves as an indicator for the effectiveness of the water treatment process. Low turbidity measurements, such as ours, show the significant removal of particles that are much smaller than can be seen by the naked eye.
  • VOC (Volatile Organic Chemicals): Organic chemicals that can be either man-made or naturally occurring. These include gases and volatile liquids.
  • WTP: Water Treatment Plant

What we test for and how

Public drinking water systems monitor their treated drinking water for approximately 100 regulated contaminants. These regulatory parameters are defined within federal rules, such as the Revised Total Coliform Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rules, Lead and Copper Rule, and the Radionuclides Rule.

We monitor for the regulated parameters listed below.

Any contaminants found are noted in the tables on the following pages.

Inorganic Chemicals
  • Antimony
  • Arsenic
  • Barium
  • Beryllium
  • Cadmium
  • Chromium
  • Copper
  • Cyanide
  • Fluoride
  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Nickel
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrite
  • Selenium
  • Thallium
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 2,3,7,8 – TCDD (Dioxin)
  • 2,4 – D, 2,4,5 – TP (Silvex)
  • Alachlor
  • Atrazine
  • Benzopyrene
  • Carbofuran
  • Chlordane
  • Dalapon
  • Di(ethylhexyl) adipate
  • Di(ethylhexyl) phthalate
  • Dibromo­chlo­ro­pro­­pane
  • Dinoseb
  • Diquat
  • Endothall
  • Endrin
  • Ethylene Dibromide
  • Glyphosate
  • Heptachlor
  • Heptachlor epoxide
  • Hexachlo­ro­ben­zene
  • Hexachlo­ro­cyc­lo­­penta­diene
  • Lindane
  • Methoxychlor
  • Oxamyl
  • PCBs Total
  • Penta­chlo­ro­­phe­­nol
  • Picloram
  • Simazine
  • Toxaphene
Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • Benzene
  • Carbon Tetrachlo­ride
  • 1,2-Dichlo­ro­­e­thane
  • o-Dichlo­ro­ben­­zene
  • p-Dichlo­ro­ben­­zene
  • 1,1-Dichlo­ro­­eth­y­lene
  • cis-1,2-Dichlo­ro­eth­y­lene
  • trans-1,2-Dichlo­ro­­eth­y­lene
  • Dichloro­me­thane
  • 1,2-Dichloro­pro­pane
  • Ethylben­zene
  • Mono­chlo­ro­ben­zene
  • Styrene
  • Tetrachlo­ro­eth­­y­lene
  • Toluene
  • 1,2,4-Trichlo­­ro­ben­­zene
  • 1,11-Trichlo­­ro­­ethane
  • 1,1,2-Trichlo­ro­­ethane
  • Trichloro­eth­y­lene
  • o-Xylene
  • m,p-Xylenes
  • Vinyl Chloride
Radiological Contaminants
  • Uranium
  • Alpha Emitters
  • Radium 226
  • Radium 228
Perfluoroalkyl and Plyfluoroalkyl Substances
  • PFOA
  • PFOS
  • PFNA
  • PFBS
  • PFHxS
  • HFPO-DA (GenX)

Other factors that can impact drinking water

Appealing to Your Senses

We work to ensure your water looks, tastes and smells the way it should.

To meet all water quality taste and odor guidelines, we test for the following: alkalinity, aluminum, chloride, color, hardness, iron, manganese, odor, pH, silver, sodium, sulfate, surfactants, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and zinc.

Temperature and Cloudiness

The temperature of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers varied seasonally in 2024 from approximately 34°–91° Fahrenheit. PWD does not treat the water for temperature.

Cloudiness in tap water most commonly happens in the winter, when the cold water from the water main is warmed up quickly in household plumbing. Cold water and water under pressure can hold more air than warmer water and water open to the atmosphere.

When really cold winter water comes out of your tap, it’s simultaneously warming up and being relieved of the pressure it was under inside the water main and in your plumbing. The milky white color is actually just tiny air bubbles. If you allow the glass to sit undisturbed for a few minutes, you will see it clear up gradually.

2024 Data tables

Lead & Copper
– Tested at customers’ taps: Testing is done every 3 years. Most recent tests were done in 2022.
EPA’s Action Level – for a representative sampling of customer homesIdeal Goal (EPA’s MCLG)90% of PWD customers’ homes were less thanNumber of homes considered to have elevated levelsRange of Tap Sampling ResultsViolationSource
Lead90% of homes must test less than 15 ppb0 ppb2.0 ppb3 out of 1040–102 ppbNoCorrosion of household plumbing;
Erosion of natural deposits
Copper90% of homes must test less than 1.3 ppm1.3 ppm0.219 ppm0 out of 1040.006–0.399 ppmNoCorrosion of household plumbing; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives
Inorganic Chemicals (IOC)
– PWD monitors for IOC more often than required by EPA.
ChemicalHighest Level Allowed (EPA’s MCL)Ideal Goal (EPA’s MCLG)Highest resultRange of Test Results for the YearViolationSource
Antimony0.006 ppm0.006 ppm0.0006 ppm0–0.0006 ppmNoDischarge from petroleum refineries; Fire retardants; Ceramics; Electronics; Solder
Barium2 ppm2 ppm0.046 ppm0.027–0.046 ppmNoDischarges of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits
Chromium100 ppb100 ppb2 ppb0–2 ppbNoDischarge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits
Fluoride2 ppm*2 ppm*0.624 ppm0.619–0.624 ppmNoErosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories
Nitrate10 ppm10 ppm4.52 ppm0.92–4.52 ppmNoRunoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks; Erosion of natural deposits
  • * EPA’s MCL and MCLG is 4 ppm, but PADEP has set this lower MCL and MCLG which takes precedence.
  • ^ Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider.

    • PWD also monitored for Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium, Cyanide, Mercury, Nitrite, Selenium, and Thallium in 2024; all results were below respective parameter detection limits.

Radiological Contaminants
Highest Level Allowed (EPA’s MCL)Ideal Goal (EPA’s MCLG)Highest resultRange of Test Results for the YearViolationSource
Alpha Emitters15 pCi/L0 pCi/L5.32 pCi/L0–5.32 pCi/LNoErosion of natural deposits
Total Chlorine Residual
– Continuously monitored at Water Treatment Plants
Sample LocationMinimum Disinfectant Residual Level AllowedLowest Level DetectedYearly RangeViolationSource
Baxter WTP0.2 ppm2.24 ppm2.24–3.55 ppmNoWater additive used to control microbes
Belmont WTP1.85 ppm1.85–2.86 ppm
Queen Lane WTP1.60 ppm1.60–2.70 ppm
Total Chlorine Residual
– Tested throughout the Distribution System.
Over 360 samples collected throughout the City every month.
Sample LocationMaximum Disinfectant Residual AllowedHighest Monthly AverageMonthly Average RangeViolationSource
Distribution System4.0 ppm2.33 ppm1.73–2.33 ppmNoWater additive used to control microbes
Bacteria in Tap Water
– Tested throughout the Distribution System.
Over 400 samples collected throughout the City every month.
Highest Level Allowed (EPA’s MCL)Ideal Goal (EPA’s MCLG)Highest Monthly % or Yearly Total of Positive SamplesMonthly Range (% of Samples)ViolationSource
Total ColiformNo more than 5% of samples can test positive in a single month*02.4%0%–2.4%NoNaturally present in the environment
E. coli00%0%NoHuman or animal fecal waste.
  • * Every sample that is positive for total coliforms must also be analyzed for E. coli. If a system has two consecutive total coliform positive samples, and one is also positive for E. coli, then the system has an MCL violation. There were no Level 1 or Level 2 assessments required under the Revised Total Coliform Rule in 2024.
Total Organic Carbon
– Tested at Water Treatment Plants
Treatment Technique RequirementBaxter WTP One Year AverageBelmont WTP One Year AverageQueen Lane WTP One Year AverageViolationSource
Percent of Removal Required25–45%15–35%15–35%n/aNaturally present in the environment
Percent of Removal Achieved*0–72%23–62%0–64%No
Number of Quarters out of Compliance*000
  • * PWD achieved TOC removal requirements in all quarters of 2024 at all WTPs. Compliance is based on a running annual average computed quarterly. The numbers shown represent a range of TOC results in weekly samples.
Turbidity, a measure of clarity
– Tested at Water Treatment Plants
Baxter WTP One Year AverageBelmont WTP One Year AverageQueen Lane WTP One Year AverageViolationSource
Treatment Technique Requirement: 95% of samples must be at or below 0.300 NTU100% below 0.300 NTU100% below 0.300 NTU100% below 0.300 NTUNoSoil runoff, river sediment
Highest single value for the year0.104 NTU0.097 NTU0.103 NTUNo
Disinfection Byproducts
Highest Level Allowed (EPA’s MCL) – One Year AverageRunning Annual Average 2024*System Wide Range of ResulstsViolationSource
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)80 ppb51 ppb14–76 ppbNoByproduct of drinking water disinfection
Total Haloacetic Acids (THAAs)60 ppb43 ppb16–52 ppbNoByproduct of drinking water disinfection
  • * Monitoring is conducted at 16 locations throughout the City of Philadelphia.
    This result is the highest locational running annual average in 2024.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCAA) Health Advisory Level (HAL) exceedance in Q2 2024

On 06/25/2024, our routine water quality tests showed that average levels of the chemical byproduct, Trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), were higher than targets at one location. This exceeded the EPA’s Lifetime Health Advisory Level. TCAA is one of the chemicals that make up Total Haloacetic Acids (THAA). The state requires us to notify residents if the average level exceeds their limit (0.02 mg/L). Parts of Northwest Philadelphia showed an average value of 0.0252 mg/L. In July 2024, we directly notified impacted customers. These levels are not associated with acute health effects. Health warnings related to TCAA are based on higher amounts and longer exposure. Potential health effects would require drinking 2 liters of water with this amount of TCAA every day for 70 years.For more information, please see: https://water.phila.gov/drops/notification-2024-07/

Monitoring Violation for Total Trihalomethane (TTHMs) in Q1 2025

We are required to collect TTHM samples during the second month of each quarter. In February 2025, PWD failed to properly collect samples for TTHM at six of our sixteen monitoring locations. We collected samples at these six locations, but they were not collected according to proper sampling protocol. In January and March 2025, we properly collected samples at these six locations. All results from properly collected samples were within regulatory limits. There was no impact to the safety of your drinking water from these sampling errors.

Reporting Violation for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in Q1 2024 and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Q3 2024

We had two administrative reporting errors in 2024. For these two errors, PWD reported data later than required. The first instance involved our monthly TTHM results from March 2024. The second instance involved our quarterly VOC results from July 2024. All results were within regulatory limits. There was no impact to the safety of your drinking water from these administrative errors.

PFAS
– System wide range of results
ChemicalHighest Level Allowed (MCL)Ideal Goal (MCLG)Highest ResultSystem Wide Range of Results*Violation^Source
EPA†PA DEPEPA†PA DEP
PFOA4 ppt14 ppt0 ppt8 ppt7.3 ppt2.5–7.3 pptNoDischarge from manufacturing facilities and runoff from land use activities.
PFOS4 ppt18 ppt0 ppt14 ppt5.5 ppt0–5.5 pptNo
PFNA10 pptn/a10 pptn/a4.0 ppt0–4 pptNo
PFBS‡Hazard Indexn/aHazard Indexn/a9.2 ppt0–9.2 pptNo
PFHxS10 pptn/a10 pptn/a1.9 ppt0–1.9 pptNo
(HFPO-DA)/GenX10 pptn/a10 pptn/a0 ppt0 pptNo
  • * Samples were collected on 1/8/2024, 4/8/2024, 7/15/2024, 10/7/2024, and 10/28/2024.
  • ^ Complance for 2024 was based on Running Annual Averages at each Water Treatment Plant compared to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PA DEP) MCLs.
  • † As of May 2025, Compliance with EPA MCLs and MCLGs begins in 2029
  • ‡ PFBS does not have an individual MCL but is included in Hazard Index calculation

For more information, please see our website: water.phila.gov/PFAS

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (UCMR)
ChemicalTesting PeriodAverageRange
PFOA1/8/2024–10/7/20244.6 ppt0–8.1 ppt
PFOS1/8/2024–10/7/20243.6 ppt0–6.0 ppt
PFHxA1/8/2024–10/7/20245 ppt0–9.1 ppt
PFPeA1/8/2024–10/7/20244.9 ppt0–9.9 ppt
PFBS1/8/2024–10/7/20243.6 ppt0–10.0 ppt
PFBA1/8/2024–10/7/20242.3 ppt0–7.6 ppt
PFNA1/8/2024–10/7/20240.8 ppt0–4.5 ppt
PFHpA1/8/2024–10/7/20241 ppt0–3.3 ppt

In 2024, PWD performed special monitoring as part of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR), a nationwide monitoring effort conducted by the EPA. Unregulated contaminants are those that do not yet have a drinking water standard set by the EPA. The purpose of monitoring for these contaminants is to help the EPA decide whether the contaminants should have a standard. For more information concerning UCMR, visit these websites: https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fourth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule or https://drinktap.org/Water-Info/Whats-in-My-Water/Unregulated-Contaminant-Monitoring-Rule-UCMR

Unregulated contaminants not detected at any of the sampling locations:
11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS), 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2FTS), 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2FTS), 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2FTS), 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA), 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA)(GenX), nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA), perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA), perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA), perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA),N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA), N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA), perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA), perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), Lithium

Secondary Chemicals

The EPA has established National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWRs) that set non-mandatory water quality standards. The EPA does not enforce these “secondary maximum contaminant levels” (SMCLs). They are established as guidelines to assist public water systems in managing their drinking water for aesthetic considerations, such as taste, color, and odor. These contaminants are not considered to present a risk to human health at the SMCL.

Secondary MCLs: Aesthetic Impacts in Tap Water
ChemicalEPA’s SMCLBaxter WTP One Year RangeBelmont WTP One Year RangeQueen Lane WTP One Year RangeViolation*Source
Chloride250 ppm28–124 ppm57–133 ppm61–161 ppmNoMain component of many salts, may increase in winter months; Erosion of natural minerals; Used in the water treatment process in the form of ferric chloride.
Copper1.0 ppm0.057–0.101 ppm0.008–0.018 ppm0.033–0.051 ppmNoCorrosion of coper pipes in premise plumbing; Erosion of natural deposits.
Fluoride2 ppm^0.62 ppm0.62 ppm0.62 ppmNoErosion of natural deposits; Water additive that promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
Iron0.3 ppm0–0.014 ppm0–0.020 ppm0–0.023 ppmNoCorrosion of iron water mains and premise plumbing; Erosion of natural minerals; Used in the water treatment process in the form of ferric chloride.
pH6.5-8.57.01–7.297.10–7.307.11–7.25NoAdjusted during the water treatment process.
Sulfate250 ppm0.00–23.40 ppm18.20–62.00 ppm12.60–61.30 ppmNoErosion of natural minerals; Runoff from mining operations.
Total Dissolved Solids500 ppm137–309 ppm198–398 ppm216–471 ppmNoErosion of natural minerals; May increase during winter months due to road salt runoff or during drought conditions.

PWD also monitored for Aluminum, Color, Manganese, and Silver in 2024; all results were below respective parameter detection limits.

  • * Individual results are averaged monthly and compliance is based on running annual average.
  • ^ EPA’s MCL and MCLG is 4 ppm, but PADEP has set this lower MCL and MCLG which takes precedence.
Sources of Secondary Chemicals
ChlorideMain component of many salts, may increase in winter months; Erosion of natural minerals; Used in the water treatment process in the form of ferric chloride.
CopperCorrosion of coper pipes in premise plumbing; Erosion of natural deposits.
FluorideErosion of natural deposits; Water additive that promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
IronCorrosion of iron water mains and premise plumbing; Erosion of natural minerals; Used in the water treatment process in the form of ferric chloride.
pHAdjusted during the water treatment process.
SulfateErosion of natural minerals; Runoff from mining operations.
Total Dissolved SolidsErosion of natural minerals; May increase during winter months due to road salt runoff or during drought conditions.

Sodium, Hardness, and Alkalinity in tap water

The parameters listed below are not part of EPA’s requirements and are provided for information purposes.

Sodium in Tap Water
Baxter WTP One Year AverageBelmont WTP One Year AverageQueen Lane WTP One Year Average
Average (ppm)23 ppm47 ppm41 ppm
Average (mg in 8 oz. glass of water)5 mg11 mg10 mg
Range (ppm)17–33 ppm30–67 ppm21–66 ppm
Range (mg in 8 oz. glass of water)4–8 mg7–16 mg5–16 mg
Hardness in Tap Water
Baxter WTP One Year AverageBelmont WTP One Year AverageQueen Lane WTP One Year Average
Average98 ppm or 6 gpg152 ppm or 8 gpg168 ppm or 10 gpg
Minimum81 ppm or 5 gpg114 ppm or 7 gpg99 ppm or 6 gpg
Maximum113 ppm or 7 gpg206 ppm or 12 gpg220 ppm or 13 gpg
Hardness defines the quantity of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, in water. These minerals react with soap to form insoluble precipitates and can affect common household chores such as cooking and washing. Philadelphia’s water is considered “moderately hard” or “hard” depending on your service area.
Alkalinity in Tap Water
Baxter WTP One Year AverageBelmont WTP One Year AverageQueen Lane WTP One Year Average
Average41 ppm75 ppm72 ppm
Minimum26 ppm47 ppm42 ppm
Maximum53 ppm105 ppm103 ppm

Top Customer Questions

Can I get my water tested?

Yes! We offer free testing for lead, copper, and other select water quality concerns.

We are seeing an increase in water quality testing requests. The results continue to show our treatment processes keep water safe.

To request an appointment
Call (215) 685-6300

Should I use a filter?

The water we deliver to your property does not need a filter. Your plumbing can impact your water quality, especially when service lines are disturbed. This can happen during construction or repairs near your property. If you use a filter, you must follow all instructions from the manufacturer. It should be certified for lead reduction by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).

Learn more at nsf.org

Why does water have an earthy flavor sometimes?

Earthy or musty flavors occur naturally in drinking water. When certain algae-type organisms grow in our rivers, detectable levels of these odors can make their way into the treated drinking water.

These natural compounds have no known health effects at their natural levels, and are found in various foods.

We take steps to reduce their presence when detected.

water.phila.gov/drinking-water/FAQ

Can I replace a lead service line?

Yes. If you don’t want to contact a plumber directly, apply for our Homeowners Emergency Loan Program (HELP).

A zero-interest loan can cover the cost of replacement.

Learn more & apply water.phila.gov/help

Also: PWD will replace lead service lines for free if they are discovered during planned work on water mains.

water.phila.gov/lead

Why does my water look cloudy sometimes?

This is usually not a water quality issue. Water pressure in the main creates air bubbles in water. When you fill a glass with tap water, the bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass and are released at the top.

Call us to report a water quality issue if the bubbles don’t disappear after a few seconds.

Call (215) 685-6300

Why does my tap water smell like a pool sometimes?

The smell of chlorine means your water is safe and treated to remove harmful organisms. You can reduce the smell by keeping a pitcher of fresh water in the refrigerator. This also reduces the earthy odor sometimes produced by algae in the rivers during spring.

water.phila.gov/drinking-water/FAQ

Why do water utilities add fluoride to water?

It’s a natural element that helps prevent cavities. Philadelphia’s Health Department (and dentists) recommend that we add fluoride to a level that helps protect children’s teeth.

water.phila.gov/drinking-water/FAQ

How hard is Philadelphia’s water?

Philadelphia’s water is considered moderately hard. Hardness depends on the treatment plant that serves your area of the city.

See results in the Hardness data table

Working together

You can help protect Philadelphia’s water quality.

Two are at the bottom of the hill using shovels to excavate an overturned shopping cart partially buried in the silt at the edge of a creek, under the arc of a concrete bridge. A third, holding a pair of work gloves in one hand while bracing against the bridge with the other, carefully steps down the hill to join them.

Join a cleanup.

Group cleanups help remove trash and litter from our waterways. There are a number of ways to stay informed about upcoming cleanups: visit the @PhillyH2O blog (water.phila.gov/blog), follow us on social media (@phillyh2o), email us at waterinfo@phila.gov, call us at (215) 685-6300, or sign up for event information at water.phila.gov/signup.

Close up shot of a Philly Water Bar "bartender" pouring fresh cold Philly Tap Water from a clear plastic pitcher bearing the PWD logo and frosted with cold into a paper cone a visitor holds out. A stack of paper drinking cones, a colorful wheel visitors can spin, and the bartenders' bright teal t-shirts and royal blue aprons fill the background.

Enjoy top-quality tap at the Philly Water Bar.

The Philly Water Bar is a relationship-building tool and interactive platform that educates and engages the public around Philadelphia’s top-quality tap water.

Learn more about upcoming Water Bar Events:
water.phila.gov/water-bar

a view of the Fairmount Water Works and the Schuylkill river as the sun begins to set, glistening on the water and casting a golden glow over the historic buildings.

Visit the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center.

The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center is a great resource for educational programming and information. Topics include our water infrastructure and watersheds, local native wildlife, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities.

Learn more:
fairmountwaterworks.org

Keep trash out of our waterways.

Make sure to put your recyclable paper, metal, and plastics in a recycling bin. Put disposable gloves, masks, food waste, and other garbage in a trash can, so they don’t end up in our rivers and streams.

Always properly recycle or dispose of household hazardous wastes.

Don’t flush them down the toilet or down the sink, and don’t pour them into storm drains. Many storm drains flow directly to our streams and rivers.

Don’t flush anything but toilet paper.

Yes, even “flushable” wipes! They don’t dissolve like toilet paper and can lead to clogs and backups, causing waste to flow into our homes and our streets.

Take a tour.

Tour a Water Treatment Plant to learn more about how we test and treat our water, or visit Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) sites to learn how Philadelphia is using GSI to keep our water cleaner and make our city greener.

Schedule a tour
waterinfo@phila.gov.

Stay informed

Sign up to receive water quality updates and more!

Get the latest news, useful information, and find out about upcoming events.

water.phila.gov/signup

Get alerts and updates from the City of Philadelphia.

Sign up for emergency, traffic, weather, and safety information.

Text READYPHILA to 888-777

phila.gov/ready

City of Philadelphia & Philadelphia Water Department
Philadelphia Water Department

1101 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 685-6300
water.phila.gov

Photography

Sahar Coston-Hardy
Philadelphia Water Department
Veracity Studios

© Philadelphia Water Department

Organizations we partner with
  • American Water Resources Association
  • American Water Works Association
  • Partnership for Safe Water
  • American Public Works Association
  • Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
  • National Association of Clean Water Agencies
  • Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
  • Schuylkill Action Network
  • Schuylkill River Restoration Fund
  • Tookany/Tacony-Frankford (TTF) Watershed Partnership
  • U.S. Water Alliance
  • Water Environment Federation
  • Water Environment Research Foundation
  • Water Research Foundation