Water Quality in Philadelphia, PA: 37 Violations - Grade N/A

Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Water Quality Overview

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 49 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 37 violations, including 1 health-based violation across 49 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.

Lead Levels

The average 90th percentile lead level across Philadelphia water systems is 0.0020 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 49 ZIP records with known lead status.

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 3 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 1,582,836 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 490 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

1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history

2. Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants

3. 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

4. Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics

5. 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:

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 20 enforcement actions against water systems serving Philadelphia. Recent actions:

Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-06-04.

Philadelphia vs. Nearby Pennsylvania Cities

How Philadelphia's water quality compares to similar cities in Pennsylvania:

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:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Aquasana EQ-1000 Rhino

Water Quality by ZIP Code in Philadelphia

EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Philadelphia's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:

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 3 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.

Can I drink Philadelphia tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 1 health-based violation; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.

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. EPA water-system coverage is available for 49 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.