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South Bethany, DE Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for South Bethany, DE — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at South Bethany's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Artesian Southern Sussex Regional PWSID: DE00A0323 Updated: 2026 Q2
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PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 3 sampling points

Lead is 2.00 ppb, 13% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 3 sampling points, running as high as 1.13 times the limit.

D

South Bethany earns a D for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 2.00 ppb — 13% of the federal action level
PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 3 sampling points
2 violations since 2015, 1 health-based
No violations currently open
South Bethany's lead level vs. all Delaware community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 2.00 ppb — 13% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 54% of Delaware utilities
Population Served
450
~7102 connections
Water Source
Groundwater
Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Active Violations
0
2 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
13% of EPA action level
2.00 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
Copper (Cu)
90th percentile of tap samples. SDWIS reports a copper figure only when a system exceeds the action level, so any value here is an exceedance.
120.8% of EPA action level
1,570 ppb
Action level: 1,300 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 2.00 ppb, 13% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home. Copper reached the action level here; a copper figure appears in SDWIS only when a system triggers it.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 76.65 UG/L 0.080 mg/L 2019 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2015 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

2 violations are on record since 2015, of which 1 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Artesian Southern Sussex Regional
PWSID DE00A0323
Water source Groundwater — Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Population served 450
Service connections 7,102
Systems serving this area 1
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Bethany tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 3 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 2.00 ppb, 13% of the action level.
Does South Bethany water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 3 sampling points, running as high as 1.13 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to South Bethany? ▼
Artesian Southern Sussex Regional (PWSID DE00A0323). Groundwater. Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2024-02-22. Inspectors recorded 1 significant deficiency.

What Should South Bethany Residents Do?

1
Consider a reverse-osmosis filter
Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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