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Is Newark Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 17, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Newark?

Yes, Newark's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Newark has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Newark's water utility, Newark Water Department, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Newark was resolved on Oct. 31, 2014. This assessment is based on the Newark Water Department water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Newark Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Newark tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Newark's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Newark Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Newark Water Department for Newark in Delaware. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

From July 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014, Newark had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

From April 1, 2014 to April 30, 2014, Newark had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

From Jan. 1, 2014 to Jan. 31, 2014, Newark had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

From Oct. 1, 2013 to Oct. 31, 2013, Newark had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

From Oct. 1, 2013 to Oct. 31, 2014, Newark had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: TTHM.

Is there Lead in Newark Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Newark water system, Newark Water Department, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.001 mg/L of lead in Newark water. This is 6.7% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Newark contained more lead.

While Newark water testing may have found 0.001 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Newark Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - New Castle Airport - near Newark with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Newark has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Newark SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
07/01/2014 - 07/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
07/01/2014 - 07/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
04/01/2014 - 04/30/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
04/01/2014 - 04/30/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
01/01/2014 - 01/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
01/01/2014 - 01/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
10/01/2013 - 10/31/2013 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
10/01/2013 - 10/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Newark Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I CONTACT NEWARK CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Newark water provider, Newark Water Department, please use the information below.
By Phone: 302-366-7000
By Email: mneimeister@newark.de.us
By Mail: 220 South Main Street
NEWARK, DE, 19711
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR NEWARK WATER DEPARTMENT
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Newark Water Department account to pay their Newark water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Newark Water Department bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Newark water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Newark water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP NEWARK WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Newark means you will often need to put the water in your name with Newark Water Department. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Newark means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Newark Water Department. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Newark Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.63 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Newark tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 30% Low
  • Water Pollution 50% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 70% High
  • Water Quality 50% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Newark, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Newark Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Newark's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT

CITY OF NEWARK: SOUTH WELL FIELD TREATMENT PLANT AIR STRIPPER BUILDING

Annual Water Quality Report

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires public water suppliers to provide consumer confidence reports (CCR) to their customers. These reports are also known as annual water quality reports. The below report summarizes information regarding the sources used (i.e. rivers, reservoirs, or aquifers), any detected contaminants, compliance and educational efforts.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some substances. The presence of these substances does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The United States Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

More information regarding contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)- 426-4791.

Newark’s High-Quality Water

The City of Newark Water Department has been committed to providing high-quality water since 1888. As a result of our regular sampling and testing program, we are proud to report

Newark meets or exceeds the water quality standards of the Delaware Division of Public Health Office of Drinking Water and the Environmental Protection Agency. The tables on pages 4-6 of this report list those substances found in our finished water during calendar year 2020.

How the Water is Treated

At the Curtis Water Treatment Plant (CWTP), water from the White Clay Creek is clarified with alum and polymer and then filtered to remove impurities. Chlorine is added to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. Finally, fluoride is added to the water to protect your teeth.

The South Well Field (SWF) Iron & Manganese Removal Plant aerates well water new a newly installed (2021) shallow tray air stripper to remove any volatile compounds and raise the pH. The water is then treated with chlorine and pumped through green sand filters, which remove iron and manganese, in addition to filtering the water. Other chemicals added to the water are fluoride, sodium hydroxide to further raise the pH, and polyphosphate to reduce the corrosiveness of the water.

Managing the Distribution System

The City maintains approximately 140 miles of water main throughout the distribution system. Seven tanks store enough water to last two days.

The City’s 317 million gallon reservoir provides a reliable source of raw water which can be treated and ready for drinking in times of heavy rain or drought. In an effort to keep sediment accumulation in our water mains to a minimum, we flush the entire system yearly.

Our treated water needs to remain fresh and retain sufficient chlorine for disinfection; as such, each month, we analyze 40 distribution system water samples for bacterial content and chlorine. Regulated substances are sampled as required.

City of Newark

Department of Public Works

And Water Resources

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT | City of Newark

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The Source of Your Water

The adjacent map illustrates what source serves each section of the City. The South Well Field contains several wells that draw water from the sand and gravel Potomac and Columbia aquifers. The Curtis Water Treatment Plant has been withdrawing water from the White Clay Creek since 1992. The White Clay Creek is also the source of the water we use to fill the reservoir.

Water in our reservoir is recirculated by a pump through an engineered wetlands moat extending around the perimeter. At the north end of the reservoir, the water flows through a special sand and gravel material before being returned to the reservoir. This wetland’s bench helps to clarify and remove nutrients from the water prior to being treated at the treatment plant. An aeration system (installed in 2016) assist in mixing the reservoir water resulting in uniform water quality from top to bottom.

Protecting Our Resources

White Clay Creek Watershed

The White Clay Creek is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, and Newark is actively involved in the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic watershed management plan. The plan delineates a cooperative approach to resource management and watershed protection. Newark also participates in the watershed-based Christina Basin Water Quality Management Strategy, which is designed to protect and improve the quality of

the streams including the White Clay Creek. Additionally, the City is financially invested in assisting our upstream farmers to implement best management practices to better manage runoff from animal manure and minimize the risk of waterborne pathogens.

Groundwater Aquifers

Preventing pollution is the top priority in protecting our groundwater supply. In 1991, Newark developed and implemented Water Resource Protection Regulations. The regulations protect our drinking water supply from pollution that may be associated with inappropriate land uses in the areas around our wells.

Source Water Assessment

In 1996, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, creating a new program titled Source Water Assessment and Protection Program. Each state is required to identify and evaluate all sources of water that are used as a drinking water source within the state. The goal of the program is to assess the susceptibility of public water sources to contamination and to promote and facilitate the protection of these water sources. Customers should contact the City of Newark Public Works & Water Department at 302-366-7000 about how to obtain a copy of our surface and groundwater assessments. Our surface and groundwater assessments are also available online: http://delawaresourcewater.org/assessments

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT | City of Newark

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Water System Update

Report Prepared June 2021

South Well Field Treatment Plant Upgrades

NEWARK WATER FACTS

POPULATION SERVED: ~40,000

METERED CUSTOMERS: ~10,000

The South Well Field Water Treatment Plant (“SWFWTP”) is the City’s groundwater treatment plant located in the southern portion of our distribution system near the intersection of DE Routes 72 and 4. The plant typically produces and distributes approximately 40% of the City’s water supply sourced from 4 wells.

The new air stripping system is located at grade and inside a constructed building located above a subsurface wet well replacing the 500,000-gallon lead-coated raw water storage tank. Additionally, the project included the construction of a new finished water storage tank replacing a second 500,000-gallon lead-coated finished water storage tank.

ANNUAL AVERAGE PUMPAGE: 3.4 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY

SERVICE AREA: 12 SQUARE MILES

PURCHASED WATER SUPPLY: < 1%

63%

Surface water treated at the Curtis Water Treatment Plant makes up roughly 63% of all drinkable water within the City.

37%

The remaining 37% of water for our residents is pulled from various groundwater supply wells.

Conservation Tips

The project, totaling roughly $4.5 million dollars, replaced an aging, but necessary air stripper used to remediate the contaminated groundwater pumped to the SWFWTP. The old air stripper has been in service for approximately 15 years running 24/7 and was nearing the end of its service life. The air stripper system was very difficult to maintain due to its location on top of the raw water tank. Although effective at removing the harmful contaminants in the groundwater, it was unable to adequately treat all the available source water (wells 14r and 16) resulting in the wells sitting idle.

The major work associated with the project included the following:

  • Treatment process improvements including installation of the new air stripping groundwater remediation system
  • Demolition of existing site building, water storage tanks, and lime silo
  • Construction of a new air stripper building with subsurface intermediate raw water wet well
  • Facilitation and coordination of the construction of a new 250,000-gallon finished water storage tank

Check your toilet for leaks by putting food coloring in your

tank and see if the color shows up in the toilet bowl without flushing. Leaking toilets can waste up to 600 gallons per day.

Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. Take shorter showers.

Use dishwasher and clothes washer for full loads only.

Keep a bottle of cold water in the refrigerator.

Water your lawn only when necessary. Water in the evening or early morning to reduce evaporation.

Avoid watering on windy days. Fixing a leaking faucet can save 140 gallons of water a week.

Use a bowl of water to clean and prepare vegetables, rather than letting the faucet run.

To easily identify water saving products, look for the WaterSense label when replacing faucets, toilets, and shower heads.

For more water conservations tips, check out our website at http://cityofnewarkde.us

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT | City of Newark

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Annual Water Quality Report for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Range of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit of

 

 

Level

 

 

Ideal Goal

 

 

Highest Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated Substances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levels

 

 

Date

 

 

Violation

 

 

Major Sources

 

 

 

 

Measure

 

 

Allowed

 

 

MCLG

 

 

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barium

 

Ppm

2

 

2

 

0.213

 

0.045 - 0.213

 

12/30/2015

 

 

N

Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine

 

Ppm

4

 

4

 

1

 

0.9-1

 

2020

 

 

N

Water additive to control microbes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chromium

 

Ppb

100

 

100

 

2.5

 

1.7 - 2.5

 

12/30/2015

 

 

N

Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride

 

Ppm

2

 

2

 

0.6

 

 

0 – 0.5538

2020

 

 

N

 

Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and aluminum factories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate

 

Ppm

10

 

10

 

7

 

 

1.7322 –

2020

 

 

N

 

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

6.9442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrite

 

Ppm

1

 

1

 

0.1994

 

 

0 – 0.1994

2020

 

 

N

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon

 

Ppm

 

TT

*

 

2.15

 

 

1.16 – 2.15

2020

 

 

N

 

Naturally present in the environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity

 

NTU

0.3

 

*

 

0.11

 

0.03-0.11

 

2020

 

 

N

 

Particulate matter from soil erosion and biological cycles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Special Education Statements

Most Recent Monitoring Statement: The Office of Drinking Water allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year. This is because the concentration of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data though representative, are more than one year old.

Nitrate: Drinking water nitrate levels above 10 ppm are a health risk for infants of less than 6 months in age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome in infants consuming this water. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant you should seek advice from your health care provider.

Total Organic Carbon: (TOC) has no health effects. TOC is an indicator for the formation potential of disinfection byproducts - trihalomethanes (TTHM's) and haloacetic acids (HAA's). Drinking water containing these disinfection byproducts in excess of their respective MCL's may lead to adverse health effects. Our water is well below the MCL's for these disinfection byproducts.

Turbidity: the turbidity (cloudiness of the water) samples of water leaving the treatment plant must be less than 0.3 nephelometric turbidity units in at least 95% of samples in any month.

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT | City of Newark

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Annual Water Quality Report (Cont.)

 

Disinfectants and Disinfection

 

 

Unit of

 

 

 

 

 

Ideal

 

 

Highest Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highest Level Allowed MCL

 

 

Goal

 

 

 

 

Range of Levels Detected

 

 

Date

 

 

Violation

 

 

Major Sources

 

 

 

By- Products

 

 

Measure

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCLG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

 

ppb

60**

 

 

no goal

54.4

 

1.88 - 54.4

 

2020

 

 

N

 

By-product of drinking water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)

 

ppb

80**

 

 

no goal

76.3

 

 

15.2 – 76.3

2020

 

 

N

By-product of drinking water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**This MCL is based on a locational

running annual average. The 2020 running annual average for HAA5s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ranged between 7.99 – 28.90 ppb and 24.80 – 57.3 ppb for TTHMs at the Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

monitoring locations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit of

 

 

 

 

 

# of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead and Copper

 

 

 

 

Action Level

 

 

sites

 

 

90th Percentile

 

 

Range of All Samples

 

 

Date

 

 

Violation

 

 

Major Sources

 

 

 

 

 

Measure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

over AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching

 

 

90th Percentile Copper

 

ppm

1.3

 

0

 

0.4

 

 

nd - 0.647

2020

 

 

N

 

from wood preservatives; Corrosion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of household plumbing systems.

 

 

90th Percentile Lead

 

ppb

15

 

0

 

1.0

 

 

nd – 4

2020

 

 

N

 

Corrosion of household plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

systems; Erosion of natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Special Education Statements

Lead: if present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Newark is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about the lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT | City of Newark

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Water Quality Report (Cont.)

*Special Education Statements

 

 

Unregulated Substances and

 

 

Unit of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SMCL

 

 

Goal

 

 

 

Level

 

 

Annual Range

 

 

Date

 

 

 

 

Secondary Standards

 

 

Measure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alkalinity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

no

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ppm

 

nr

 

 

goal

61.9

 

 

61.9 – 61.9

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloride

 

ppm

250

 

 

<250

 

50.9482

 

 

43.4911 – 88.7

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iron

 

ppm

0.3

 

 

 

<0.3

 

0

 

0

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium

 

ppm

 

nr

 

<50

 

17.64

 

 

17.64 – 17.64

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26.0317 –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ppm

250

 

 

<250

 

33.9262

 

38.0068

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPA Unregulated Contaminant

 

 

 

Unit of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SMCL

 

 

 

 

Goal

 

 

Level

 

 

Annual Range

 

 

Date

 

 

 

 

Monitoring Rule No. 4 Results

 

 

Measure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bromide++

 

 

ppb

 

 

nr

 

 

no goal

36.15

 

 

29.5 – 43.8

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAA5

 

 

ppb

 

 

nr

 

 

60

 

18.12

 

 

2.94 – 43.75

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAA6Br

 

 

ppb

 

 

nr

 

 

no goal

7.75

 

 

0.62 – 13.73

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAA9

 

 

ppb

 

 

nr

 

 

no goal

25.62

 

 

3.56 – 56.33

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manganese

 

 

ppb

 

50

 

 

 

50

 

4.75

 

 

0.41 – 13.5

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon++

 

 

ppb

 

 

nr

 

 

no goal

2390

 

 

2180 – 2580

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

++Sampling for Total Organic Carbon and Bromide were collected at a single source water influent (aka untreated raw water) for each treatment plant.

Most Recent Monitoring Statement: The Office of Drinking Water allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year. This is because the concentration of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, are more than one year old.

 

Definition of Terms

 

 

Action Level – AL

the concentration of a contaminant which when exceeded requires the water supplier to remediate.

Highest Level Detected (HLD) -

the highest level detected in a group of samples

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) -

the highest level of a contaminant that that is allowed in drinking water.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) -

the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known risk to health.

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL)

means an MCL which involves an adversely affect the taste, odor, color, or appearance (aesthetics)

millirem per year (mrem/yr)

the millirem per year is the unit of absorbed radiation dose in one year

Non detects (nd) -

laboratory analysis indicates that the contaminant is below the laboratory detection limit.

Not Regulated (nr) -

no MCL established for this contaminant

Picocuries Per Liter (pCi/l) -

the unit of measure using picocuries in one liter. The measure of the radioactivity in water.

Ppb

parts per billion or micrograms per liter - one once in 7,350,000 gallons of water

Ppm

parts per million or milligrams per liter - one once in 7,350 gallons of water.

Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids -

compounds that maybe formed when organic material in the source water reacts with chlorine.

Treatment Technique (T.T.) -

a required treatment process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water, coagulation, filtration, and disinfection of the raw water prior to public distribution.

Turbidity -

the measure of the clarity of water in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU).

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT | City of Newark

7

 

 

 

 

Controlling Runoff

Change or adjust your

 

And finally, below are

landscape

 

important facts about

maintenance

 

water we should all

practices.

 

try to remember.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runoff is a major issue with regard to both surface and ground water quality. Here are several things you can do to reduce the negative effects of runoff:

Control soil erosion whenever you disturb the ground. Protect disturbed ground with mulch or plants.

Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.

Direct down spouts away from paved areas and towards vegetated areas. Establish rain gardens to allow rain water to slowly infiltrate into and recharge the ground water.

Use rain barrels to collect and store rain water for gardening use.

Reduce impervious surfaces by using porous paving blocks, filter cloth, concrete cellular mattresses, block and concrete pavers, gravel, stone, and vegetation.

Support reforestation efforts along local streams and rivers.

Minimize use of chemicals and fertilizer. The application of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers should follow recommended dosing procedures; and, applied only when rain is not in the immediate forecast.

Leave mulched grass clippings on the lawn to feed the lawn and reduce fertilizer needed later.

Don’t mow lawns less than two inches. This develops longer roots, shades out weeds, and reduces water requirements. Minimize lawn watering practices. Learn about the best time to water your lawn and the best amount of water to apply. Plant native species. They are easier to maintain and feed the local wildlife. Compost garden debris, leaves and vegetable scraps for a free soil supplement.

Don’t mow to stream banks. Leaving taller grasses in these buffer areas reduces erosion and improves water quality.

Wise water use is very important. Water is a natural resource shared by everyone.

The amount of water on the earth does not change.

Water is not always available where it is needed.

Water is used by people in many different ways.

Pollution makes water more difficult and expensive to make safe.

Wasting water wastes energy because it requires energy to treat water, and pump it.

With everyone’s help we can significantly improve and preserve the water resources that we rely upon to supply our potable water.

A portion of the information for this section was gathered from publications developed by the White Clay Creek Watershed Association.

Additional information can be found at the following web sites:

White Clay Wild and Scenic River Program www.whiteclay.org

White Clay Watershed Association Http://mercury.ccil.org/~wcwa/ City of Newark https://newarkde.gov/

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT | City of Newark

8

 

 

 

 

Important Health Notes

Important Information about

Your Drinking Water

Information for You

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include streams, ponds, reservoirs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material and may pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.

Substances that may be present in source water include:

Microbial substances include viruses and bacteria, which may be naturally occurring or from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic substances include salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, or farming.

Pesticides and herbicides may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

Organic chemical substances include synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and can also come from gasoline stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

Radioactive substances which can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Lead: Recent events in Flint Michigan have highlighted the importance of proper water system management and operation as well as transparency, especially due to the public health implications that can come as a result. The City of Newark is in compliance with the lead and copper regulations. If you have immediate concerns about the potential for lead in your drinking water, please call the Public Works and Water Resources Department at 302-366-7000 and we will work with you to perform lead sampling in your house free of charge.

One unique aspect of lead and copper sampling is that due to testing requirements, we rely on volunteers from the community who are willing to participate for sample gathering. If you are interested in participating in the next round of lead and copper sampling which will take place during the summer of 2024, please contact the Public Works and Water Resources Department at 302-366-7000 for consideration. Sampling locations will then be selected in accordance with our State approved sampling plan

Cryptosporidium and Giardia: You may have seen reports about Cryptosporidium and Giardia, microscopic organisms which can enter surface waters from runoff containing animal wastes. If ingested, Cryptosporidium and Giardia can cause diarrhea, fever and other gastro-intestinal symptoms. Crypto and Giardia were not found in Newark’s finished water sample. The organisms are eliminated in our treatment process through filtration, clarification and disinfection.

Radon: Radon gas is found in soil. The gas moves through the ground into the air and may enter homes through foundations.

Drinking water from groundwater may add radon to the home air. The EPA indicates the risk is small compared to the radon entering through soil. Standards for monitoring radon in drinking water have not been set by EPA and the Delaware Office of Drinking Water.

Special Populations Some people may be more vulnerable to substances in drinking water than the general population. Immuno- compromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infections by cryptosporidium and other microbial substances are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

If you have any questions concerning your water, your water service, or this report, please call or write to us at:

City of Newark PWS ID: 0000630

Department of Public Works & Water Resources c/o Tim Filasky, Ethan Robinson, Mark Neimeister or Andrea Coyle

220 South Main Street Newark, Delaware 19711

  1. 366-7000 https://newarkde.gov/.

Newark City Council meets each Monday of the month. The meetings are held in the Newark City Council Chamber at the Newark Municipal Building, 220 South Main Street Newark, Delaware, starting at 7:00 pm.

Additional Information can be obtained by calling the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791

2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT

220 South Main Street Newark, Delaware 19711

Contaminants


Newark Water Department

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Delaware Health and Social Services - Division of Public Health, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 36450
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 25

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrate and nitrite
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Trichloroacetic acid

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Atrazine
  • Barium
  • Bromoform
  • Chlorate
  • Chromium (total)
  • Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
  • Dibromoacetic acid
  • Dieldrin
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Manganese
  • Monochloroacetic acid
  • Strontium
  • Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

In general, public water systems may use a combination of filtration systems, chlorination, and other additives to eliminate pollution or balance the pH. They must regularly test water conditions and report results publicly.

Residents can look at their water provider upon Delaware’s Drinking Water Watch Portal.

Private wells, however, are not regularly tested. Maintenance or addition of any treatment systems or additives is totally up to the homeowner.

Public water systems, which are broken into different categories depending on how many people they serve, are regulated by the state Office of Drinking Water. They are required by law to test for specific pollutants and ensure the water they deliver to customers is safe to drink.

There are dozens of regulated contaminants, such as lead or bacteria, that must be below a certain level to be considered safe to drink. Other “emerging contaminants,” such as PFAS compounds like PFOA or GenX, are not regulated and therefore do not have to be tested for.

In Delaware, public and private water systems get their H2O from surface water like the Brandywine, White Clay, and Red Clay creeks and reservoirs, or groundwater aquifers, said Keith Mensch with the Delaware Office Drinking Water.

A company, town, or city handles about 80 percent of that drinking water. According to state and federal rules and regulations, they’re responsible for collecting, treating, and distributing the water.

But for about 20 percent of Delaware residents use private wells installed on their properties. Those people – many living in southern Delaware – pull their drinking water from groundwater aquifers.

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