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EPA SDWIS City OverviewWater Testing & Safety Guide

Philadelphia, PA Water Quality Testing & Safety Report

EPA compliance records, water testing guidelines, and hardness metrics for all 87 ZIP codes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Quick EPA Verified Summary

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Philadelphia, PA?

Yes, tap water in Philadelphia, PA is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. The city earns an average EPA Safety Grade of A (91/100) across 87 ZIP codes with 0 health violations and moderately hard (105 mg/L / 6.1 GPG) water. Certified testing is recommended for older plumbing or private wells.

Average Score

91/100

Health Violations

0

Water Hardness

Moderately Hard

105 mg/L (6.1 GPG)

High Lead Risk

47

of 87 ZIP codes

A

About Tap Water in Philadelphia, PA

Drinking water in Philadelphia, PA receives an average water quality grade of A (score: 91/100) across its 87 ZIP codes. Safe Drinking Water Act compliance monitoring is managed by local utilities including Philadelphia Water Department.

⚠ Lead Risk Alert: Some ZIP codes in Philadelphia are rated High or Very High for lead exposure risk based on EPA data. Search your specific ZIP code for a detailed lead level report.

Water Quality Testing in Philadelphia, PA

Tap Water & Well Water Testing Recommendations

Testing your drinking water in Philadelphia confirms whether contaminants like lead, nitrates, bacteria, and PFAS are entering your home. While municipal utilities test water before distribution, private plumbing and private well systems require homeowner testing.

Tap Water Testing Checklist

  • 1.Identify your plumbing age: Homes built before 1986 in Philadelphia may have lead solder or lead service lines.
  • 2.Request your utility's latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for annual municipal baseline data.
  • 3.Use an EPA-certified laboratory or state-certified test kit for precision lead and PFAS detection (standard DIY strips cannot reliably measure trace heavy metals).
  • 4.Collect a "first draw" sample: Test water that has sat motionless in pipes for at least 6 hours to check for plumbing corrosion.

Private Well Water Testing Checklist

  • •Private wells in PA are not monitored by the EPA or Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection — testing is 100% the homeowner's responsibility.
  • •Annual Test: Screen for Total Coliform Bacteria, E. coli, Nitrates/Nitrites, and pH every spring.
  • •Comprehensive Test (Every 3-5 Years): Test for heavy metals (Lead, Arsenic, Uranium), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Hardness.
  • •Post-Disruption Testing: Immediately test well water following heavy floods, local construction, agricultural runoff, or sudden taste/odor changes.

Critical Water Testing Parameters for Philadelphia Residents

ParameterHealth ReasonEPA Limit / Standard
Lead (Pb)Plumbing corrosion; dangerous neurotoxin for children15 ppb (Action Level) / 0 ppb Goal
Total Coliform & E. ColiBacterial contamination from sewage or surface runoff0 mg/L (Zero Tolerance)
Nitrates / NitritesFertilizer and septic tank seepage; causes blue baby syndrome10 mg/L (MCL)
Water Hardness (Ca & Mg)Affects appliance lifespan, scale buildup, and skin hydrationModerate (~100 mg/L)
PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")Industrial non-stick chemicals linked to metabolic and immune issues4.0 ppt (EPA 2024 Rule)
State Regulatory Oversight: Environmental standards and certified water lab registries in PA are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Water Quality by ZIP Code — Philadelphia, PA

Showing 87 of 87 monitored ZIP codes in Philadelphia

A
19019

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19092

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19093

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19099

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19108

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19109

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19155

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19160

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19161

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19162

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19170

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19171

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19172

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19173

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19175

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19176

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19177

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19178

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19179

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19181

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19182

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19183

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19184

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record
A
19185

Philadelphia, PA

Score: 96/100✓ Clean Record

All Philadelphia, PA ZIP Code Reports (87 Total)

190191909219093190991910819109191551916019161191621917019171191721917319175191761917719178191791918119182191831918419185191871918819190191911919219193191941919519196191971924419255191011910219104191071911019112191181912119122191231912519126191331913719139191401910619111191151911619119191201912419129191301913119132191341913519136191381914119142191431914419145191461914719148191491915019151191521915419103191141912719128191531910519113

Nearby Cities Water Quality & Testing in Pennsylvania

Compare tap water safety, EPA test scores, and water hardness across neighboring cities in Pennsylvania:

Aaronsburg, PA1 ZIP code
Grade C
Abbottstown, PA1 ZIP code
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Addison, PA1 ZIP code
Grade C
Abington, PA1 ZIP code
Grade D
Adamsburg, PA1 ZIP code
Grade D
Adamstown, PA1 ZIP code
Grade C
Adamsville, PA1 ZIP code
Grade C
Adah, PA1 ZIP code
Grade C

Frequently Asked Questions — Philadelphia Water Quality & Testing

Is tap water safe to drink in Philadelphia, PA?+
Yes — tap water in Philadelphia meets federal EPA standards and earns a A grade. It is generally safe for healthy adults. As always, running your tap for 30 seconds before use and using a filter adds extra protection for vulnerable populations.
How do I test water quality in Philadelphia, PA?+
To test water quality in Philadelphia, you can order an EPA-compliant drinking water test kit or submit samples to a state-certified environmental testing laboratory in PA. Testing is especially recommended for homes built before 1986 (to check for lead in plumbing) and for properties with private well systems.
Should I test private well water in Philadelphia?+
Yes. Unlike municipal tap water, private wells in Philadelphia, PA are not monitored or regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners are responsible for testing their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
How hard is the tap water in Philadelphia?+
Tap water in Philadelphia is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated average hardness of 105 mg/L (6.1 GPG). A water softener is generally optional.
What is the water quality score for Philadelphia?+
The average water quality score across 87 ZIP codes in Philadelphia, PA is 91/100. Scores are derived from EPA violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Individual ZIP codes may vary — search your specific ZIP above for a personalized report.
Does Philadelphia have lead in its tap water?+
47 out of 87 ZIP codes in Philadelphia are rated High or Very High for lead exposure risk. Older homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or plumbing fixtures. Residents should run their tap for 30 seconds before use and consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead filter.
Where does Philadelphia's tap water come from?+
Tap water in Philadelphia, PA primarily comes from surface water. Surface water systems treat water from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs using filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection before it reaches your tap.

Looking for water quality reports in other cities in Pennsylvania?

View All Cities & ZIPs in Pennsylvania