Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
philadelphia water department
surface water (rivers/reservoirs) · local government · PWSID PA1510001
Below EPA's 15 ppb lead action level at last testing.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1
Philadelphia, PA is one of the largest cities in the United States, with a population near 1,567,442 and the largest community in Pennsylvania. Like much of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia draws its water primarily from Susquehanna River, Delaware River, and Allegheny.
Philadelphia's water outlook is shaped most by aging infrastructure — the issue that dominates planning across Pennsylvania. Old industrial-era systems and PFAS near former military sites dominate the agenda.
Philadelphia sits in a state that reuses roughly 3% of treated wastewater (minimal programs) and currently experiences moderate to severe drought.
For the bigger picture, see the Pennsylvania state water profile and the related issues below.
Philadelphia County water quality
Source: EPA SDWIS · 2026 Q1
At a glance
- Population ~1,567,442 (largest in Pennsylvania)
- Primary sources: Susquehanna River, Delaware River, and Allegheny
- Drought: moderate to severe conditions
- State reuse rate: ~3% of wastewater
Statewide drought history
% of Pennsylvania in severe+ drought (Severe (D2) now).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia's largest water system, PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT, serves about 1,600,000 people. EPA records show 0 health-based violation(s) since 2016 and a most-recent 90th-percentile lead level of 2 ppb (EPA action level is 15 ppb). Always check your own provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Where does Philadelphia get its water?
PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT draws primarily from surface water (rivers/reservoirs), part of Pennsylvania's supply from Susquehanna River, Delaware River, Allegheny.
Related water issues
Aging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
ExplorePFAS Contamination
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances persist in water supplies for decades. New federal limits are forcing utilities nationwide to invest in advanced treatment.
Explore