City Provides Updates: Latest Sampling Shows Philadelphia’s Drinking Water Remains Safe to Drink and Use | Office of Emergency Management

PHILADELPHIA — Based on updated water sample results received overnight, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) remains confident that tap water from the Baxter drinking water treatment facility is at least consistently safe to drink and use 11:59 p.m., Wednesday March 29, 2023. PWD will provide further updates based on the latest sampling data as it becomes available.

This update is based on water samples and updated hydraulic models that estimate the time it takes for river water entering Baxter’s inlets to flow through the treatment and water lines before reaching customers. PWD analyzed a variety of samples from the river and during the treatment process. Of the city’s three facilities, Baxter is the only facility that treats water from the Delaware River.

Contaminants related to the Bristol Township discharge were never found in PWD’s water system. Customers can fill bottles or jugs with tap water without risk.

PWD will continue to closely monitor water quality. The city is working with partners to develop a water distribution plan in the unlikely event that such a plan is needed. Local residents can find out if they live in a potentially affected area Here.

PWD expects there will remain no detectable amounts from the spill at the mouth of the Delaware River in Philadelphia by Wednesday or Thursday this week. PWD continues to test the water to ensure that no contaminated water enters our water treatment system. PWD expects this event to be resolved by next week.

For planning purposes there will be a media briefing following the latest sampling results which are expected tonight, Tuesday 28th March. Details will be published in a separate announcement.

stay informed

• Any drinking water quality incident requiring public notification would be announced byReadyPhiladelphia notificationsand the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. PWD has been monitoring the incident since it was alerted and is using computer modeling to monitor the flow of the spill.
• Sign up to receive drinking water quality alertsPreparePhiladelphia by texting READYPHILA at 888-777 for free phone alerts, or customize free SMS and email alerts by visiting the Office of Emergency Management’s website at www.phila.gov/ready.

• For official city updates, follow @PhilaOEM on Twitter or Facebook.
• Other city Twitter accounts to follow for info: @PhiladelphiaGov and @PhillyH2O.

Media Resources

• A replay of the City of Philadelphia Facebook Live stream on Monday, March 27 at 5 p.m. is available Here.
• A map of the areas served by Baxter’s water treatment plant is available Here.
• Visit phila.gov for the latest announcements in multiple languages ​​and press releases.