Is Dover, DE tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Dover Water Department.

10 public water systems serve parts of Dover. The largest, Dover Water Department, serves 39,491 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Dover Water Department

39,491 people · Groundwater · EPA ID DE0000571

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 2 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across Delaware, 11 of 34 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 1 system were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Delaware results.

Dover homes and lead pipes

47%

of homes built before 1980 (Delaware 42%, US 50%)

built before 1950 (Delaware 12%)

53%

of households rent (Delaware 27%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Dover city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Which system serves your ZIP code

Based on the ZIP codes each system reported serving. Boundaries don't follow ZIP lines exactly, so your water bill is the final word.

System	ZIP codes in Dover
Dover Water Department 39,491 people	19904
Dover Air Force Base Water System 11,000 people	19902

Other water systems serving Dover

Camden Pump District
17,208 people · Groundwater · Delaware · reported ZIPs here
Lithium above screening level
Dover Air Force Base Water System
11,000 people · Groundwater · Delaware · reported ZIPs here
Lithium above screening level
Lakeland/Beechwood Pump District
459 people · Purchased groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Kitts Hummock Improvement Association
305 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Voshells Cove Pump District
267 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Hunters Pointe Pump District
261 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

3 more systems

Dover Air Park Water System
252 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Willow Tree Properties LLC
123 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Village of Grandview
108 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Middletown 22 mi Middletown Water Department	Middletown Water Department	None above limits	0 ppb
Newark 38 mi Newark Water Department	Newark Water Department	Above limit	1 ppb
Wilmington 40 mi Wilmington Water Department	Wilmington Water Department	Above limit	0 ppb

Questions

Is Dover tap water safe to drink?

Dover Water Department has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Dover, DE?

10 public water systems serve parts of Dover. The largest is Dover Water Department (39,491 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Dover tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Dover Water Department had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Dover homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 47% of Dover homes as built before 1980 (Delaware: 42%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Dover Water Department's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.