Water Quality in Philadelphia, PA: 348 Violations — Grade A
Grade A · Score 91/100 · 1 water system · Updated 2026-05-03
Philadelphia's water meets all EPA standards with no health-based violations.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Looking at EPA compliance data for Philadelphia, PA, the record shows 348 violations — findings that span health-based exceedances, monitoring lapses, and enforcement events tied to local utilities in the SDWIS database.
Water Quality Map: Philadelphia, PA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Philadelphia
Water quality varies across Philadelphia's 87 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19105 | C | 67 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19113 | C | 67 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19153 | B | 77 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19103 | B | 82 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19114 | B | 82 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19127 | B | 82 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19128 | B | 82 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19106 | A | 87 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19111 | A | 87 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19115 | A | 87 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19116 | A | 87 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19119 | A | 87 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19120 | A | 87 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19124 | A | 87 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 19129 | A | 87 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania receives a water quality grade of A with an overall score of 91 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 1 water system serving Philadelphia have accumulated 348 EPA violations (all monitoring/reporting type). These violations are tracked across 87 ZIP codes serving approximately 1,600,000 people.
What Grade A Means
A grade of A indicates excellent compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Philadelphia's water systems have maintained strong performance in both contaminant monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Philadelphia water systems is 0.0020 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 86% of homes built before 1986, Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia is served by 1 community water system regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 1,600,000 people across 87 ZIP codes.
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
The EPA has taken 870 enforcement actions against water systems serving Philadelphia. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Philadelphia
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
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
Contaminants Detected in Philadelphia Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Philadelphia's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 348 | 87 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Philadelphia. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-10-29 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-02-26 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-02-26 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-07-05 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-07-20 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-07-20 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2023-07-20 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-07-06 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-07-06 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-01-10 | State Informal Enforcement |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-10-29.
Philadelphia vs. Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
How Philadelphia's water quality compares to similar cities in Pennsylvania:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | A | 348 | 1 | 1,600,000 |
| Bala Cynwyd | C | 0 | 1 | 1,600,000 |
| Bensalem | C | 0 | 1 | 1,600,000 |
| Bryn Athyn | B | 0 | 1 | 1,600,000 |
Recommended Water Filters for Philadelphia
Based on contaminants detected in Philadelphia's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
- Removes: Lead
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $150–$500
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
- Recommended products:
- Waterdrop G3P800
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Clearly Filtered Pitcher
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chlorine
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)
- Removes: Haloacetic Acid HAA5
- Effectiveness: 60-80%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Philadelphia
Water quality varies across Philadelphia's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19105 | 67 | C | 4 | 0 |
| 19113 | 67 | C | 4 | 0 |
| 19153 | 77 | B | 4 | 0 |
| 19103 | 82 | B | 4 | 0 |
| 19114 | 82 | B | 4 | 0 |
| 19127 | 82 | B | 4 | 0 |
| 19128 | 82 | B | 4 | 0 |
| 19106 | 87 | A | 4 | 0 |
| 19111 | 87 | A | 4 | 0 |
| 19115 | 87 | A | 4 | 0 |
| 19255 | 96 | A | 4 | 0 |
| 19244 | 96 | A | 4 | 0 |
| 19197 | 96 | A | 4 | 0 |
| 19196 | 96 | A | 4 | 0 |
| 19195 | 96 | A | 4 | 0 |
Water quality scores in Philadelphia range from 67 to 96 — a spread of 29 points. This variation means your specific ZIP code matters significantly.
Common Questions About Philadelphia Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
Is Philadelphia water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Philadelphia's 1 water system uses a single source. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Philadelphia tap water? Philadelphia's water receives a grade of A (91/100). No health-based violations have been recorded, but home testing is always recommended.
What is the best water filter for Philadelphia? Based on detected contaminants, a reverse osmosis (under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Philadelphia vs. Pennsylvania Average
Understanding how Philadelphia compares to the broader Pennsylvania 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 Philadelphia.
ZIP Codes in Philadelphia
Philadelphia spans 87 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 19019. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. 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
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade A is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.