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WATER QUALITY REPORT

Philadelphia, PA Tap Water Quality

What EPA data, PFAS monitoring, and independent health research reveals about Philadelphia's drinking water -- and what you can do about it.

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HIGH CONCERN
Based on EPA violations and contaminant profile
KNOWN WATER ISSUES -- PHILADELPHIA, PA
âš Lead service lines
âš PFAS from upstream industrial sources
âš Chlorination byproducts
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
1

Philadelphia has thousands of lead service lines still in use throughout the city.

2

Delaware River -- Philadelphia's source water -- carries PFAS from upstream industrial discharge.

3

In 2021, EWG detected multiple PFAS compounds in Philadelphia tap water above health guidelines.

4

Both RO and Clearly Filtered-certified pitchers remove PFAS for Philly residents.

WATER SYSTEM -- EPA SDWIS
System Name
Philadelphia Water Department
EPA PWSID
PA2510007
Population Served
1.6M
State
PA
COMMON QUESTIONS
Is Philadelphia tap water safe to drink?

Philadelphia water meets EPA legal standards but meeting standards is not the same as being free of contaminants. EPA limits are set based on feasibility, not always on what is safest for health. Enter your ZIP above to see the full violation history and PFAS data for your specific water system.

Do I need a water filter?

Even compliant water can contain contaminants at levels above what independent health scientists consider safe -- particularly for PFAS, lead, and chromium-6. An EPA-certified RO system removes 95-99% of all detected contaminants and costs $0.10-$0.25 per gallon, compared to $1-$3 for bottled water.

What's the best filter for this area?

For most US cities, a reverse osmosis system under the sink is the gold standard -- it removes lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrates, fluoride, and virtually everything else. For renters, a Waterdrop D4 countertop RO requires zero installation. Enter your ZIP above to get personalized recommendations based on your actual water report.

Check your specific address

City-wide data is just the start. Enter your ZIP to see your exact water system's EPA report, PFAS levels, and violation history.

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