What was found in Dover'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 | 7900 µg/L 79% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 7900 µg/L 79% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 1510 µg/L 38% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 6/8 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 286 µg/L 22% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 200 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 115.1 µg/L 5.8% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 65 µg/L 81% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 44 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 37.2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 22.1 µg/L 37% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 22 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 15 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 14.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 12.4 µg/L 83% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L | 6/8 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 11.3 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 6/8 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 11 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromate | 6 µg/L 60% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 5.21 µg/L 104% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 5 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 3.79 µg/L 38% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 3.3 pCi/L 66% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 7/8 | SYR4 |
| Xylenes, Total | 3.18 µg/L 0% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 2.61 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 2.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 1.424 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 1.19 µg/L 2.4% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 1.14 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0.7200 µg/L 14% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Ethylbenzene | 0.5100 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 700 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Chlordane | 0.1000 µg/L 5% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0070 mg/L 47% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 8/8 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Dover
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| DOVER WATER DEPARTMENT | 39,491 |
| LAKELAND/BEECHWOOD PUMP DISTRICT | 459 |
| KITTS HUMMOCK IMPROVEMENT ASSOC | 305 |
| HUNTERS POINTE PUMP DISTRICT | 261 |
| VOSHELLS COVE PUMP DISTRICT | 252 |
| DOVER AIR PARK | 252 |
| WILLOW TREE PROPERTIES LLC | 123 |
| VILLAGE OF GRANDVIEW | 108 |
Frequently asked questions about Dover tap water
Is Dover tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 30 contaminants in the water serving Dover. 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 Dover?
8 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Dover, Delaware to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Dover's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Dover include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Fluoride, Copper, Nitrite. 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.