Data Sources
Public Water Quality Data
Citation: Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Federal Reporting Services. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/safe-drinking-water-information-system-sdwis-federal-reporting
Overview
Public drinking water in Delaware is carefully regulated to help ensure the health and safety of the communities it serves. Public water systems that supply at least 25 people are required to meet federal and state water quality standards. These systems conduct regular testing and apply treatment processes to remove harmful germs and chemicals. While most public tap water meets safety standards, contamination can sometimes occur. When this happens, utilities are required to notify customers and provide guidance on how to stay safe. As a resident, you can take simple steps to stay informed about your water quality—review your utility's annual water quality report, sign up for alerts from your local government or utility, and follow recommendations during drinking water advisories.
Data presented below combine public water supplies for the selected geographic region, and only a selection are listed. Major water providers for Delaware include Artesian Water Company, City Of Wilmington, Suez Water Delaware and, Tidewater Utilities.
Photo credit:Daniel Hopper
Key Data & Reports
Public Drinking Water in Zip Code 19720
Community water systems regularly test public drinking water for a wide range of contaminants to ensure it meets safety standards. These tests check for substances that can affect health. Monitoring helps protect communities and ensures the water delivered to homes, schools, and businesses is safe to drink.
The maximum allowable contaminant level (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water based on cost benefit analysis and is enforceable under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Select Contaminants
Additional Information
Public Drinking Water in Zip Code 19720
Resources
Delaware Office of Drinking Water: Consumer Information
Includes annual compliance reports.
EPA: Your Drinking Water -- What you need to know
Listing of EPA resources to learn about the safety of our drinking water.
An EPA chart that lists all regulated drinking water contaminants and acceptable levels for each.
EPA: Concerned about lead in your drinking water?
Infographic [pdf] about sources of lead at home.
Learn more about this group of human-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals.
How does agriculture impact nitrate levels in drinking water?
University of Delaware Cooperative Extension’s website on nitrogen cycling in agriculture.
Delaware Public Health Laboratory
The State's Environmental Laboratory site includes forms and procedures for water testing but also explanations of bacterial and chemistry testing conducted at the lab.
Delaware's data about each public water supply.
Delaware Department of Public Health: Drinking Water Notices
Listing of this year's drinking water notices.
Privacy
In releasing this information, Delaware aims to provide information that can be helpful to local communities as they work to improve public health. However, the protection of the confidentiality of our citizens is of paramount importance. To that end, counts of less than 11 are not presented. An outside expert has reviewed the platform to ensure it complies with the HIPAA privacy rule (45 CFR 164.§514(b)).