Is Middletown, 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 Middletown Water Department.

10 public water systems serve parts of Middletown. The largest, Middletown Water Department, serves 17,700 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Middletown Water Department

17,700 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID DE0000614

Buys treated water from Artesian Water Company.

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: 0 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.

Middletown homes and lead pipes

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

built before 1950 (Delaware 12%)

23%

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. How to check your own line.

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

Other water systems serving Middletown

North West Pump District
4,149 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
No PFAS above limits
Willow Grove Mill Water System
3,090 people · Purchased groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Parkside Water System
1,467 people · Purchased groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
South East Pump District
951 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Dove Run Water System
909 people · Purchased groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Villagebrook Water System
847 people · Purchased groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

3 more systems

Ponds of Odessa (AWC)
216 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Summit Pond Pump District
177 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Mt Pleasant MHP, LLC
117 people · Groundwater · Delaware · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Newark 16 mi Newark Water Department	Newark Water Department	Above limit	1 ppb
Dover 22 mi Dover Water Department	Dover Water Department	None above limits	2 ppb
Wilmington 22 mi Wilmington Water Department	Wilmington Water Department	Above limit	0 ppb

Middletown ZIP codes (1)

19709

Questions

Is Middletown tap water safe to drink?

Middletown 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 Middletown, DE?

10 public water systems serve parts of Middletown. The largest is Middletown Water Department (17,700 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Middletown tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Middletown 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 Middletown homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 8% of Middletown 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. Middletown 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.