EPA ID PA1460073 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Philadelphia suburbs tap water: what EPA testing found
Aqua Pennsylvania (main system) (EPA record: AQUA PA MAIN SYSTEM) serves 822,600 people in PA from surface water.
What the data shows
PFOA and PFOS above EPA’s drinking-water limit
In UCMR 5 testing (2024–2024), PFOA averaged up to 11.8 ng/L (limit 4.0); PFOS averaged up to 8.9 ng/L (limit 4.0) at the worst sampling point. Utilities must meet the limit by 2029 under the current rule; EPA has proposed letting systems ask for until 2031 (not final).
What fits: Pick a filter whose listing certifies PFOA/PFOS (or total PFAS) reduction under NSF/ANSI 53 or 58. Under-sink reverse osmosis units and some carbon filters and pitchers carry it; the certification for the exact model is what counts, not the filter type.
Certified — IAPMO listing, checked 16 Oct 2026- Culligan with ZeroWater Technology 10 Cup PitcherPitcher filter · ZEROP10
- PUR PLUS Lead Reducing Pitcher & Dispenser Replacement FilterPitcher filter · PPF951K
- ZeroWater 5-Stage Replacement FilterPitcher filter · ZR-017
- Culligan Scout 2.25 Gallon Gravity Countertop System with MaxClear…Countertop dispenser · MCSP
- PUR Faucet Filtration System, VerticalFaucet-mount filter · FM-3333B
- PUR PLUS Faucet Filtration System – Horizontal, ChromeFaucet-mount filter · PFM400H
- AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water PurifierCountertop reverse osmosis · AT2000
- Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-MF-1
- Culligan EZ-Change Under Sink Drinking Water Filtration SystemUnder-sink filter · US-EZ-4
- APEC Water Tankless RO System 4 Stage Water Filter, 1000 GPD Reverse…Under-sink reverse osmosis · ROTL-A1000
- Waterdrop 800 GPD Tankless Reverse Osmosis System - Waterdrop G3P800Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-G3P800
- Waterdrop G3P600 Reverse Osmosis System - Waterdrop G3P600Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-G3P600
Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF- Aquasana Clean Water MachineCountertop dispenser · AQ-CWM2-B · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6200 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6300M · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6300 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- A. O. Smith High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis SystemUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AOS-HERO-CHR · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis Water FilterUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AQ-SFRO2 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Culligan Aquasential Smart Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water…Under-sink reverse osmosis · Aquasential Smart RO · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Waterdrop Instant Hot Water Dispenser, Reverse Osmosis System, K6Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-K6-W · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Waterdrop X Series Reverse Osmosis System, X12Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-X12 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana HealthShield Whole House Water Filtration SystemWhole-house filter · WH-HS · check NSF’s listing yourself
NSF’s and WQA’s listings can’t be checked automatically; each product page also links to WQA’s.
Lithium above EPA’s screening level (there is no legal limit)
Highest result 15.7 µg/L; EPA’s health reference level for screening is 10 µg/L.
What fits: EPA has no lithium limit, and no NSF/ANSI standard has a lithium reduction claim, so no home filter is certified for lithium.
Coliform or groundwater-rule violation
2 health-based violations since 2016, the latest starting 2024-11-01.
What fits: Coliform and groundwater-rule violations are fixed at the system. Follow the utility’s notices; if it issues a boil-water advisory, boil or use bottled water until it is lifted.
Lead from home plumbing (not in this data)
UCMR 5 does not test for lead, and lead usually enters water from service lines and plumbing inside buildings. Your utility’s lead service line inventory says whether your address is served by a lead line.
What fits: Lead comes from lead service lines, solder and fixtures inside buildings, not usually from the treatment plant. Use a filter certified for lead reduction (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58) at the tap you drink from.
Certified — IAPMO listing, checked 16 Oct 2026- Brita Elite Replacement Filter, formerly Longlast+Pitcher filter · OB06
- Culligan with ZeroWater Technology 10 Cup PitcherPitcher filter · ZEROP10
- PUR PLUS Lead Reducing Pitcher & Dispenser Replacement FilterPitcher filter · PPF951K
- ZeroWater 5-Stage Replacement FilterPitcher filter · ZR-017
- Culligan Scout 2.25 Gallon Gravity Countertop System with MaxClear…Countertop dispenser · MCSP
- PUR Faucet Filtration System, VerticalFaucet-mount filter · FM-3333B
- PUR PLUS Faucet Filtration System – Horizontal, ChromeFaucet-mount filter · PFM400H
- AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water PurifierCountertop reverse osmosis · AT2000
- Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-MF-1
- Culligan EZ-Change Under Sink Drinking Water Filtration SystemUnder-sink filter · US-EZ-4
- Waterdrop 800 GPD Tankless Reverse Osmosis System - Waterdrop G3P800Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-G3P800
- Waterdrop G3P600 Reverse Osmosis System - Waterdrop G3P600Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-G3P600
Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF- LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Glass Water Filter PitcherPitcher filter · LSH7SPC101 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Clean Water MachineCountertop dispenser · AQ-CWM2-B · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Brita Elite Advanced Water Filter Faucet System with Brita…Faucet-mount filter · FF-100 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Brita Hub Countertop Water Filter System with Brita Hub FilterCountertop filter · 87340 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6200 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6300M · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6300 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- A. O. Smith High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis SystemUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AOS-HERO-CHR · check NSF’s listing yourself
- APEC Water Tankless RO System 4 Stage Water Filter, 1000 GPD Reverse…Under-sink reverse osmosis · ROTL-A1000 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- APEC Water Ultimate 5-Stage 90 GPD High Output Reverse Osmosis Water…Under-sink reverse osmosis · RO-90 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis Water FilterUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AQ-SFRO2 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Culligan Aquasential Smart Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water…Under-sink reverse osmosis · Aquasential Smart RO · check NSF’s listing yourself
- iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified 75 GPD, Alkaline 6-Stage Reverse…Under-sink reverse osmosis · RCC7AK · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Waterdrop X Series Reverse Osmosis System, X12Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-X12 · check NSF’s listing yourself
NSF’s and WQA’s listings can’t be checked automatically; each product page also links to WQA’s.
PFAS and lithium (EPA UCMR 5)
1,500 results from 19 sampling points, 1 Feb 2024 to 11 Dec 2024. Averages count results below EPA’s reporting level as zero, as the PFAS rule does. Every number links to EPA’s UCMR 5 Data Finder (search PWSID PA1460073). Limits: EPA PFAS rule.
| Contaminant | Detected in | Highest result | Average | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 35 of 50 | 12.6 ng/L | 4.82 ng/L | 4 ng/L |
| PFOS | 16 of 50 | 9.2 ng/L | 1.93 ng/L | 4 ng/L |
| PFHxS | 11 of 50 | 7.7 ng/L | 0.99 ng/L | 10 ng/L* |
| PFNA | 7 of 50 | 12 ng/L | 1.07 ng/L | 10 ng/L* |
| HFPO-DA | 0 of 50 | not detected | 0 ng/L | 10 ng/L* |
| PFBS | 35 of 50 | 9.5 ng/L | 3.07 ng/L | none |
| PFBA | 20 of 50 | 10.1 ng/L | 2.74 ng/L | none |
| PFHxA | 42 of 50 | 17.2 ng/L | 5.36 ng/L | none |
| PFHpA | 16 of 50 | 6.9 ng/L | 1.32 ng/L | none |
| PFPeA | 43 of 50 | 21.8 ng/L | 6.18 ng/L | none |
| Lithium | 2 of 50 | 15.7 µg/L | 0.62 µg/L | none (screening level 10 µg/L) |
* PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA limits (and the PFAS hazard index) are in the rule, but EPA proposed on 20 May 2026 to rescind them; not final as of 16 Oct 2026. UCMR 5 results are screening data, not compliance results: compliance uses quarterly running averages from 2029. Source file: EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data (dated 15 Oct 2026).
Sampling points averaging above a limit
| Facility | Water | Samples | PFOA avg | PFOS avg | Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow Run Well Treatment | ground | 2 | 10 ng/L | 8.9 ng/L | PFOA, PFOS |
| Highland Glen Treatment | ground | 2 | 11.8 ng/L | 6.7 ng/L | PFOA, PFOS |
| Hall Road Treatment | ground | 2 | 7.1 ng/L | 7.2 ng/L | PFOA, PFOS |
| Grand Oaks Treatment | ground | 2 | 8 ng/L | 5.5 ng/L | PFOA, PFOS |
| Oreland Treatment | ground | 2 | 4.9 ng/L | 4.8 ng/L | PFOA, PFOS |
| Neshaminy Pump | surface | 4 | 5.1 ng/L | 4.2 ng/L | PFOA, PFOS |
| Flourtown Treatment | ground | 2 | 4.1 ng/L | 4.15 ng/L | PFOA, PFOS |
| Cabot Treatment | ground | 2 | 9.25 ng/L | 0 ng/L | PFOA |
| Media Clearwell Ridley | surface | 4 | 7.88 ng/L | 1.35 ng/L | PFOA |
| Crum Creek TP | surface | 4 | 5.95 ng/L | 0 ng/L | PFOA |
| Tredyffrin Treatment | ground | 2 | 4.5 ng/L | 0 ng/L | PFOA |
| Hunt Country Treatment | ground | 2 | 4.4 ng/L | 0 ng/L | PFOA |
| Upper Merion TP | surface | 4 | 4.3 ng/L | 0 ng/L | PFOA |
Health-based violations since 2016
| Period began | Contaminant or rule | Violation | Measured | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 2024 | Groundwater Rule | Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | – | Returned to Compliance (31 Dec 2024) |
| 1 Jul 2017 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, E. coli (RTCR) | – | Returned to Compliance (29 Aug 2017) |
Source: EPA SDWIS via Envirofacts and the ECHO report for PA1460073, retrieved 16 Oct 2026.
Hardness
The utility’s latest water report doesn’t publish a hardness figure (checked 16 Oct 2026). A home test kit or a call to the utility gives it; then use the softener calculator.
Places and ZIP codes served
West Chester, Media, Norristown, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Abington, Ambler, Ardmore, Aston, Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, Berwyn, Blue Bell, Bridgeport, Bristol, Brookhaven, Broomall, Bryn Athyn, Chadds Ford, Cheltenham, Chester, Chester Heights, Cheyney, Clifton Heights, Coatesville, Concordville, Conshohocken, Croydon, Crum Lynne, Darby, Devault, Devon, Downingtown, Dresher, Drexel Hill, Edgemont, Elkins Park, Essington, Exton, Feasterville Trevose, Flourtown, Folcroft, Folsom, Fort Washington, Gladwyne, Glen Mills, Glen Riddle Lima, Glenmoore, Glenolden, Glenside, Hatboro, Haverford, Havertown, Holmes, Horsham, Huntingdon Valley, Immaculata, Jamison, Jenkintown, Kennett Square, King Of Prussia, Lafayette Hill, Landenberg, Langhorne, Lansdowne, Lenni, Lincoln University, Malvern, Merion Station, Morton, Narberth, Newtown Square, Norwood, Oreland, Paoli, Phoenixville, Plymouth Meeting, Prospect Park, Ridley Park, Sharon Hill, Southampton, Springfield, Swarthmore, Unionville, Upper Darby, Villanova, Wallingford, Warminster, Warrington, Wayne, Westtown, Willow Grove, Woodlyn, Wyncote, Wynnewood.
18929 18966 18974 18976 19001 19002 19003 19004 19006 19007 19008 19009 19012 19013 19014 19015 19017 19018 19020 19021 19022 19023 19025 19026 19027 19028 19029 19031 19032 19033 19034 19035 19036 19037 19038 19040 19041 19043 19044 19046 19047 19050 19052 19053 19059 19063 19064 19065 19066 19070 19072 19073 19074 19075 19076 19078 19079 19081 19082 19083 19085 19086 19087 19090 19094 19095 19096 19113 19131 19301 19312 19317 19319 19320 19333 19335 19340 19341 19342 19343 19345 19348 19350 19352 19355 19375 19380 19381 19382 19383 19395 19401 19403 19405 19406 19422 19428 19432 19444 19452 19460 19462 19479 19481 19482 19485
ZIP codes the system reported to EPA for UCMR 5; place names from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). A ZIP code can be split between systems.