Tap Water Results

Is Lower Makefield, PA tap water safe?

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

Summary

Pennsylvania American Water – Yardley, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

3 public water systems serve parts of Lower Makefield. The largest, Pennsylvania American Water – Yardley, serves 33,171 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Pennsylvania American Water – Yardley

33,171 people · Surface water · EPA ID PA1090074

Buys treated water from Newtown Artesian Water Company, Morrisville Municipal Authority.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
8.6 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
Above limit
5.95 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot 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.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 93% of the Pennsylvania systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 84% of the Pennsylvania systems EPA tested.

Lead: 1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Sep 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Full Pennsylvania American Water – Yardley results

Across Pennsylvania, 85 of 360 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 76 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Pennsylvania results.

Lower Makefield homes and lead pipes

40%
of homes built before 1980 (Pennsylvania 67%, US 50%)
7%
built before 1950 (Pennsylvania 32%)
12%
of households rent (Pennsylvania 31%)

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 Lower Makefield township (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Lower Makefield

  • Falls Township Water & Sewer Dept
    24,400 people · Purchased surface water · Pennsylvania · reported ZIPs here
    Haloacetic acids (HAA5) violation
  • Morrisville Municipal Authority
    13,342 people · Surface water · Pennsylvania · reported ZIPs here
    Haloacetic acids (HAA5) violationsAlso: Coliform bacteria violation

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Middletown 4 mi
Aqua Pennsylvania Main System
Aqua Pennsylvania Main SystemAbove limit0 ppb
Falls 5 mi
Lower Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority
Lower Bucks County Joint Municipal AuthorityNone above limits0 ppb
Bristol 7 mi
Aqua Pennsylvania Main System
Aqua Pennsylvania Main SystemAbove limit0 ppb
Northampton 8 mi
Aqua Pennsylvania Main System
Aqua Pennsylvania Main SystemAbove limit0 ppb
Bensalem 10 mi
Aqua Pennsylvania Main System
Aqua Pennsylvania Main SystemAbove limit0 ppb
Warminster 12 mi
Aqua Pennsylvania Main System
Aqua Pennsylvania Main SystemAbove limit0 ppb
Lower Makefield ZIP codes (1)
  • 19067

Questions

Is Lower Makefield tap water safe to drink?

Pennsylvania American Water – Yardley had 1 health-based violation since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. 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 Lower Makefield, PA?

3 public water systems serve parts of Lower Makefield. The largest is Pennsylvania American Water – Yardley (33,171 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Lower Makefield tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at Pennsylvania American Water – Yardley. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Lower Makefield homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 40% of Lower Makefield homes as built before 1980 (Pennsylvania: 67%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Pennsylvania American Water – Yardley'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.