Water Quality in Dover, DE: No Violations in Mapped EPA Records
7 water systems · 2 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report no violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Dover. This does not cover unavailable records or guarantee a specific tap is contaminant-free.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Dover
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19901 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 19904 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Dover, Delaware has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 2 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report no violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts for Dover. This does not guarantee the absence of contaminants.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Dover is 0.0020 mg/L; the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). No exceedances appear among the 2 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 50% of homes built before 1986, Dover has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Dover
Dover is served by 7 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 77,274 people live in the area (5 ZIP codes, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list enforcement actions against water systems serving Dover. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Dover
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken enforcement actions against water systems serving Dover. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2023-02-02 | State Filed Judgment |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2023-02-02.
Dover vs. Nearby Delaware Cities
How Dover's water quality compares to similar cities in Delaware:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | 2 | 0 | 7 | 77,274 |
| New Castle | 1 | 1 | 5 | 60,593 |
| Middletown | 1 | 0 | 5 | 50,542 |
| Bear | 1 | 0 | 2 | 44,801 |
Common Questions About Dover Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Dover, Delaware:
Is Dover water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Dover's 7 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Dover tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Dover? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Dover vs. Delaware Average
Understanding how Dover compares to the broader Delaware average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Dover.
ZIP Codes in Dover
Dover spans 5 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 2 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.