1
PFAS have been identified in Philadelphia's water at 3 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.
2
Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Philadelphia's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

67 /100

Moderate

"Good" threshold (70)

Philadelphia tap water is sourced from Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers and treated by Philadelphia Water Department. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Overall purity score: 67/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Philadelphia's 3 issues.

See Filters

MATCHED TO PHILADELPHIA'S WATER DATA

Best Water Filters for Philadelphia, PA (2026)

Matched to PFAS Detected, Moderate Chlorine in Philadelphia.

PFAS Detected Moderate Chlorine

Best Overall #1 for Philadelphia

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Pitcher Filter

$80-95

Why this fits Philadelphia

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Philadelphia's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Philadelphia's water
NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI 53 + NSF/ANSI 401 certified

Pros & Cons +

No installation fill and pour

Removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS

Small capacity 2-3 people

Filter replacements every 4 months

Fix Your Water — Check Price

Best for PFAS

Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO

Tankless Reverse Osmosis

$380-450

Why this fits Philadelphia

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Philadelphia's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Philadelphia's water
NSF/ANSI 58 + NSF 372 certified

Pros & Cons +

No tank saves cabinet space

800 GPD fast flow rate

Higher upfront cost

Filter replacements are proprietary

Check Price on Amazon

Best for Taste

APEC Water Systems ROES-50

Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis

$195-220

Why this fits Philadelphia

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Philadelphia's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Philadelphia's water
NSF/ANSI 58 certified

Pros & Cons +

5-stage filtration removes 99%+ of contaminants

Long-lasting filters (6-12 month replacement)

Requires under-sink installation

Wastes some water during filtration

Check Price on Amazon

Best Value

Waterdrop 10UA Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Filter

$40-60

Why this fits Philadelphia

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Philadelphia's water
NSF/ANSI 42 certified
Budget-friendly at $40-60

Pros & Cons +

Very affordable

Easy DIY install no plumber

Does not remove PFAS or hardness

Single point of use only

Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap may earn from qualifying purchases. Based on latest Philadelphia water data.

Full Filter Comparison for Philadelphia

Know exactly what's in YOUR tap

City data shows averages. Your home may differ.

Test Your Water — $25-30

Explore Philadelphia Water Data

Philadelphia Water FAQ

Is Philadelphia PA tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Philadelphia tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 67/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 3.0 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.

Does Philadelphia PA use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?

Philadelphia uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.5 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.

How hard is Philadelphia PA water and what is the TDS level?

Philadelphia water hardness is 3.6 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 130 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.

Has PFAS been found in Philadelphia PA drinking water?

Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Philadelphia water at approximately 3.0 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.

Nearby Reports

PittsburghPennsylvania — 58/100 AllentownPennsylvania — 63/100 EriePennsylvania — 82/100 ReadingPennsylvania — 82/100 ScrantonPennsylvania — 82/100 BethlehemPennsylvania — 82/100

All Pennsylvania cities

Explore Water Quality by State

Compare across all 50 US states

View All States

Data Sources

EPA SDWIS
EWG Tap Water Database
Philadelphia Water Department CCR
USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

Link copied!