What was found in Lewes'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 | 12900 µg/L 129% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 10000 µg/L | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 12900 µg/L 129% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 10000 µg/L | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 5420 µg/L 417% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 1300 µg/L | 7/8 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 1610 µg/L 40% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 157.5 µg/L 7.9% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 125.8 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 38.4 µg/L 256% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 7/8 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 32.2 µg/L 40% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 14.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 12.1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 12.08 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 7.2 µg/L 12% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 5.54 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 4.1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 2.727 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 2.3 µg/L 2.3% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 1.8 pCi/L 36% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 7/8 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 1.4 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 0.6100 µg/L 10% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0.5600 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Benzo(A)Pyrene | 0.1500 µg/L 75% of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate | 0.0440 µg/L 0% of the EPA limit 400 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0230 mg/L 153% above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L | 7/8 | LCR |
| PFOS | 0.0095 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfpea | 0.0083 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOA | 0.0061 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0057 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0043 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | UCMR-5 |
| PFHXS | 0.0035 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | UCMR-5 |
Water suppliers serving Lewes
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| LEWES BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS | 9,627 |
| ARTESIAN NORTHERN SUSSEX REGIONAL | 5,511 |
| ANGOLA BEACH ESTATES | 1,400 |
| TALL PINES RESORT COMMUNITY SYS1 | 538 |
| LOVE CREEK MHC | 210 |
| ANGOLA CREST II | 159 |
| TALL PINES RESORT COMMUNITY SYS4 | 79 |
| TALL PINES RESORT COMMUNITY SYS2 | 53 |
Frequently asked questions about Lewes tap water
Is Lewes tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 29 contaminants in the water serving Lewes. 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 Lewes?
8 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Lewes, Delaware to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Lewes's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Lewes include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, Fluoride, Barium. 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.