Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.

Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.

Is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tap Water Safe to Drink?

EPA SDWIS/ECHO 2026Q2 · UCMR5 (2023–2026, July 2026 release) · SYR4 six-year review 2012–2019 · Methodology

Is Philadelphia Tap Water Safe to Drink?

D69/100

Grade D — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring

PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT has notable problems in EPA's records — health-based violations, elevated lead or PFAS above the federal limit. A certified filter is a reasonable precaution.

Why this grade

No health-based violations in the last 5 years
5 monitoring/reporting violations in the last 5 years (−5)
Lead 90th-percentile tap result 2 ppb for 2025-06-01–2025-09-30, well below the 15 ppb action level
PFOA detected at up to 8.1 ppt in UCMR5 sampling (2024-10-07), at or above EPA's 4 ppt MCL (−10)
PFOS detected at up to 6 ppt in UCMR5 sampling (2024-10-07), at or above EPA's 4 ppt MCL (−10)
Other PFAS detected in UCMR5 sampling: PFNA 4.5 ppt, PFBS 10 ppt, PFPeA 9.9 ppt, PFHpA 3.3 ppt, PFHxA 9.1 ppt, PFBA 7.6 ppt (−6, capped)
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM): 73 of 1609 single samples (2012–2019) above 80 ug/l, but the average (42.093 ug/l) was within the MCL; the MCL is a running annual average, so single samples are not penalised
Haloacetic acids (HAA5): 67 of 1557 single samples (2012–2019) above 60 ug/l, but the average (32.828 ug/l) was within the MCL; the MCL is a running annual average, so single samples are not penalised

Scores start at 100 and lose points for EPA violations, lead results, PFAS detections and historical readings near a limit. How we grade → · Compare with other cities in the state rankings.

QUICK ANSWER

Short answer for Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA tap water is legal to drink but grades D on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.

✓No health-based EPA violations in the last 5 years
✓Lead 90th percentile: 2 ppb (2025; action level 15 ppb)
✓PFAS detected: PFBA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA — PFOA/PFOS at or above the 4 ppt MCL
✓PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT serves 1,600,000 people from surface water

Frequently asked questions

Is Philadelphia, PA tap water safe to drink?▾

Does Philadelphia have lead in the water?▾

PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2025-06-01 to 2025-09-30) was 2 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.

Is there PFAS in Philadelphia's water?▾

Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2024-01-08 to 2024-10-07) detected PFBA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.

Has Philadelphia had any EPA violations?▾

PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT has 8 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 5 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.

Where does Philadelphia's water come from?▾

PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 1,600,000 people (EPA PWSID PA1510001).

Do I need a water filter in Philadelphia?▾

We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result.

Philadelphia scores 69/100. We recommend filtering your water.

Filter Your Water Today

PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Philadelphia's UCMR5 sampling.

PFAS detected — Reverse osmosis or activated carbon rated for PFAS recommended.