What was found in Bethany Beach's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 4200 µg/L 42% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 4200 µg/L 42% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 1910 µg/L 147% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 1300 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 1800 µg/L 45% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 231 µg/L 289% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 151 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 100.4 µg/L 167% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 60 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Cyanide | 83 µg/L 42% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 77 µg/L 513% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 67.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 32.8 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 30.7 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 30.4 µg/L 1.5% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 30.1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 21.15 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 16.33 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 3.989 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 2.5 µg/L 5% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 2.48 µg/L 41% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 2.3 µg/L 23% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 2.1 pCi/L 42% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Antimony, Total | 2.03 µg/L 34% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 1.2 µg/L 1.2% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 1.1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 1.07 µg/L 21% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Xylenes, Total | 0.6000 µg/L 0% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dalapon | 0.3440 µg/L 0.2% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| 2,4-D | 0.1070 µg/L 0.2% of the EPA limit 70 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate | 0.0810 µg/L 0% of the EPA limit 400 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | 0.0370 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0069 mg/L 46% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 3/3 | LCR |
| PFOS | 0.0047 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
Water suppliers serving Bethany Beach
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| ARTESIAN SOUTHERN SUSSEX REGIONAL | 18,215 |
| SUSSEX SHORES WATER COMPANY | 12,450 |
| BETHANY BEACH WATER DEPARTMENT | 12,000 |
Frequently asked questions about Bethany Beach tap water
Is Bethany Beach tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 32 contaminants in the water serving Bethany Beach. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Bethany Beach?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Bethany Beach, Delaware to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Bethany Beach's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Bethany Beach include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, Fluoride, TTHM. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.