Pennsylvania – The Keystone State – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your state
Pennsylvania’s water infrastructure serves approximately 13 million residents across diverse geographical regions, from the urban corridors of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to rural communities throughout the Commonwealth. The state operates through a complex network of over 3,000 public water systems, ranging from large municipal utilities like the Philadelphia Water Department, which serves 1.6 million customers, to smaller community systems providing essential services to rural areas. Pennsylvania’s water sources include major river systems like the Delaware, Susquehanna, Ohio, and Allegheny, along with numerous reservoirs and groundwater aquifers that supply both urban centers and agricultural areas.
Despite abundant water resources, Pennsylvania faces significant infrastructure challenges. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, Pennsylvania’s drinking water infrastructure received a C- grade, highlighting aging systems, funding shortfalls, and emerging contaminant concerns including PFAS “forever chemicals.” The state has received over $132 million in federal infrastructure investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in fiscal year 2025 alone to address these challenges, focusing on drinking water safety, wastewater treatment upgrades, and lead service line replacement. Pennsylvania’s commitment to water quality improvement is demonstrated through partnerships between the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), local utilities, and federal agencies working to ensure safe, reliable water access for all residents.
Pennsylvania Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Statewide Compliance and Testing
- Overall Compliance: The majority of Pennsylvania’s 3,000 public water systems meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, though approximately 19% of systems tested showed PFAS levels above new EPA guidelines when monitoring began in 2024.
- PFAS Monitoring: Pennsylvania implemented its own PFAS maximum contaminant level rule in January 2023, requiring comprehensive testing across all public water systems serving more than 350 people, with significant contamination found in some areas like Berwick, Columbia County.
- Infrastructure Investment: Over $288 million was invested in water infrastructure improvements through PENNVEST in January 2025 alone, including lead service line replacement, system upgrades, and emerging contaminant treatment across 24 counties.
Major Water Sources and Challenges
- Delaware River Basin: Primary source for southeastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, facing challenges from industrial legacy contamination and requiring advanced treatment for emerging contaminants including PFAS.
- Three Rivers Region: The confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers serves Pittsburgh area, with ongoing monitoring for combined sewer overflow impacts and industrial contamination requiring infrastructure modernization.
- Lead Service Line Challenge: Pennsylvania has an estimated 160,000 to 250,000 lead service lines statewide, with aggressive replacement programs underway, including Pittsburgh’s removal of over 11,000 lead lines and Philadelphia’s planned replacement of 20,000-25,000 lines.
Emerging Contaminant Response
- PFAS Regulation Implementation: Pennsylvania’s state standards set PFOA and PFOS limits at 14 ppt, stricter than the previous federal guidance, with new EPA drinking water standards of 4 ppt taking effect in 2029 requiring additional infrastructure investments.
- Treatment Technology Deployment: Water utilities are implementing advanced treatment technologies including granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis systems to remove PFAS and other emerging contaminants.
- Regional Cooperation: Pennsylvania participates in EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator program, providing hands-on support to guide communities through lead pipe removal processes and leveraging federal funding for maximum impact.
Public Health and Safety Focus
- Lead Service Line Replacement: Pennsylvania American Water invested over $675 million in system upgrades in 2024, with major utilities like Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and Philadelphia Water Department implementing aggressive lead line replacement programs at no cost to customers.
- Infrastructure Funding Gap: The state faces a projected $10.2 billion funding gap over the next decade for public water system improvements, partially addressed through federal infrastructure investments and state revolving loan funds.
- Rural System Support: Smaller water systems receive targeted technical assistance and funding through PENNVEST and federal programs to ensure compliance with new regulations and maintain service reliability.
Looking Forward: 2025-2030
Pennsylvania’s water quality landscape is undergoing significant transformation as utilities prepare for new federal PFAS regulations and accelerated lead service line replacement requirements. The state’s proactive approach to addressing emerging contaminants, combined with substantial federal and state infrastructure investments, positions Pennsylvania as a leader in modernizing water systems. However, successful implementation will require continued collaboration between state regulators, water utilities, and communities to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to safe, affordable drinking water while addressing the challenges of aging infrastructure, emerging contaminants, and the need for sustained investment in critical water systems.
Recommendations for Pennsylvania Residents
Know Your Water Source
Contact your water utility to request annual water quality reports and ask about PFAS testing results. Visit Pennsylvania DEP’s website to access your local system’s testing data and understand any contaminants of concern in your area.
Support Infrastructure Investment
Stay informed about local water infrastructure needs and support utility rate structures that enable necessary improvements. Attend public meetings when utilities discuss infrastructure upgrades and lead service line replacement programs.
Consider PFAS-Certified Filtration
For areas with known PFAS contamination, consider NSF-certified activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters specifically tested for PFAS removal. These can provide additional protection while utilities implement treatment upgrades.
Report Water Quality Concerns
Contact your local water utility immediately for taste, odor, or color concerns. Report suspected contamination to Pennsylvania DEP’s Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at (717) 787-9037 for investigation and follow-up.
Practice Water Conservation
Support Pennsylvania’s water sustainability by implementing conservation measures like efficient irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and low-flow fixtures. Reducing demand helps utilities maintain system reliability and affordability.
Pennsylvania Cities We Cover
Philadelphia Water Quality
Comprehensive analysis of Philadelphia Water Department, serving 1.6 million customers across the city. Includes information on water sources, treatment processes, lead service line replacement programs, and PFAS monitoring in America’s fifth-largest city.
Pittsburgh Water Quality
Detailed assessment of Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority systems serving the Three Rivers region. Covers water quality testing, lead service line replacement achievements, and infrastructure modernization in western Pennsylvania’s largest city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania’s tap water safe to drink?
Most of Pennsylvania’s public water systems meet federal drinking water standards and are safe for consumption. However, approximately 19% of systems tested in 2024 had PFAS levels above new EPA guidelines.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requires comprehensive testing across all 3,000 public water systems. About 200 systems may need additional treatment to address PFAS contamination above new federal limits. Water utilities are implementing advanced treatment technologies and the state has received hundreds of millions in federal funding to address emerging contaminants and infrastructure needs. Residents should review their utility’s annual water quality report and stay informed about local conditions.
What are PFAS chemicals and why are they a concern in Pennsylvania?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic “forever chemicals” that don’t break down naturally in the environment or human body.
Pennsylvania has detected significant PFAS contamination in some areas, with the worst found at Brookside Village Mobile Home Park in Berwick where levels reached over 2,100 parts per trillion – more than 500 times the new federal limits. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, liver damage, immune system effects, and other health concerns. Pennsylvania implemented its own PFAS standards in 2023 with limits of 14 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, and utilities must now comply with stricter federal limits of 4 ppt by 2029.
How can I find out about my local water quality?
Pennsylvania residents can access comprehensive water quality information through several resources:
• Annual Water Quality Reports: Contact your water utility directly for their Consumer Confidence Report, which details all testing results and any violations or concerns
• PA DEP eFile System: Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s online database to access testing results and compliance information for your local water system
• PFAS Testing Data: PA DEP requires all public water systems serving more than 350 people to test for PFAS and makes results publicly available on their website
• Service Line Materials: Check utility websites like Pennsylvania American Water’s interactive map to determine if your property has a lead service line
Why does Pennsylvania have water infrastructure challenges?
Pennsylvania’s water infrastructure faces several interconnected challenges:
Aging Systems: Many water systems were built decades ago and need modernization to meet current standards and handle emerging contaminants
Funding Gaps: The state faces a projected $10.2 billion funding gap over the next decade for public water system improvements
Lead Service Lines: Pennsylvania has an estimated 160,000 to 250,000 lead service lines that must be replaced under new federal requirements by 2034
Industrial Legacy: Historical manufacturing and industrial activities have left legacy contamination in water sources that requires ongoing treatment and monitoring
The state is addressing these challenges through PENNVEST funding, federal infrastructure investments, and aggressive utility modernization programs focused on lead line replacement and PFAS treatment.
Contaminants of Concern
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
Source: Industrial manufacturing, firefighting foam use at military bases and airports, electronics manufacturing facilities, and consumer products including non-stick cookware and stain-resistant materials
Health Effects: Linked to kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, immune system suppression, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, and developmental effects in children
Current Status: Approximately 19% of Pennsylvania water systems tested in 2024 exceeded new EPA limits, with the worst contamination found in Berwick reaching over 2,100 parts per trillion EPA Limits: 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS individually, with hazard index for other PFAS compounds
Lead Service Lines
Source: Historical use of lead pipes in water service connections from the early 1900s through 1986, when lead solder and pipes were banned for drinking water systems
Health Effects: No safe level of lead exposure; linked to brain development damage in children, cardiovascular effects, kidney damage, and reproductive problems in adults
Current Status: Pennsylvania has an estimated 160,000-250,000 lead service lines statewide requiring replacement by 2034 under new federal rules Regulatory Response: Aggressive replacement programs by major utilities, with Pittsburgh removing over 11,000 lines and federal funding of over $152 million allocated for statewide replacement
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