Skip to main content
WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 19138 Water Quality Report

Philadelphia, PA · Philadelphia County County

Safety Score
A

Water Safety Grade

Excellent — Meets all EPA standards

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

4

Lead Risk

Very High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 19138

Tap water in ZIP code 19138 (Philadelphia, PA) is among the safest in the country. Served by Philadelphia Water Department, this area earned a water safety grade of A with a composite score of 87/100 — indicating full regulatory compliance and low contaminant risk across EPA monitoring periods.

Water System

Philadelphia Water Department

EPA ID: PA1510001

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

1,600,000 residents

County

Philadelphia County County, Pennsylvania

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 19138

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 2.0 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 19138 is 2.0 ppb, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. While this is a reassuring result, the EPA's public health goal for lead is actually zero — no amount of lead is considered completely safe, particularly for children under 6 and pregnant women. Running your tap for 30 seconds before use and using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter adds an extra layer of protection.

Lead exposure risk in 19138 is rated Very High. EPA models estimate a 71% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This is among the highest risk categories nationally, often associated with heavily aging infrastructure and pre-1986 construction. Do not give unfiltered tap water to children under 6 or pregnant women. Consider getting your home's plumbing tested for lead solder and fixtures.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
2.00 ppb (0.002 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

2 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0.2 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Very High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

71%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Philadelphia Water Department has recorded 4 violations, but none are health-based. Administrative or reporting violations don't directly indicate unsafe water, but they do signal gaps in documentation or monitoring procedures. 1 violation is currently unresolved — meaning the issue has not yet been formally corrected in EPA records. This is a serious concern that residents should follow up on with their water utility.

Total Violations (5 yr)
4
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
1
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk is rated Moderate. Philadelphia Water Department has had occasional lapses in compliance but generally meets Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 19138. This means EPA monitoring has not found levels of regulated contaminants exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) set under the Safe Drinking Water Act — a positive indicator of water quality compliance.

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Lead (2 ppb*); Chlorine (2.58 ppm); Haloacetic Acid HAA5 (31.033 ppb)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

10 enforcement actions have been issued against Philadelphia Water Department — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
🌊

Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$2
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

4.09%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 19138 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Philadelphia Water Department
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 19138 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 19138?+
Yes — tap water in 19138 (Philadelphia, PA) currently meets all federal EPA standards with a water safety grade of A. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years. You can drink your tap water with confidence, though running the tap for 30 seconds in the morning is always a good practice.
What is the lead level in 19138 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 19138 is 2.0 ppb (parts per billion). The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is a low level, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb.
Who provides tap water to 19138?+
Tap water in ZIP code 19138 is provided by Philadelphia Water Department (EPA ID: PA1510001). This system serves approximately 1,600,000 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 19138?+
ZIP code 19138 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 19138 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 1 unresolved violation on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact Philadelphia Water Department for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 19138?+
Your water utility — Philadelphia Water Department — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "Philadelphia Water Department Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 19138?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 19138, with a clean compliance record, a standard carbon block filter meeting NSF/ANSI 42 is a good choice for taste and as a precaution.
Is 19138 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Current EPA data for 19138 shows a lead level of 2.0 ppb — below the action level, but as an extra precaution, run your tap for 30 seconds before use and consider a certified lead filter for infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 19138 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Philadelphia Water Department. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →