Is Bethlehem tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Bethlehem's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

82/100
Purity Score
2
Issues Found
4.5 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

2 Issues Detected in Bethlehem

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Bethlehem

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.3 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Bethlehem
Pennsylvania

180,151,801,718,018 · Wild Creek and Pocono Creek

Bethlehem, PA Water Quality Report

Low Risk Updated March 2026 75,781 residents
See Best Filters for Bethlehem
82
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
5 ppb
Nitrate
0.7 mg/L
Arsenic
0.3 mg/L
Hardness
4.5 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Bethlehem's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

82 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Bethlehem tap water is sourced from Wild Creek and Pocono Creek and treated by City of Bethlehem Water. Overall purity score: 82/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Bethlehem's 2 issues.

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Bethlehem Water FAQ

Is Bethlehem PA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Bethlehem tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 82/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Bethlehem PA use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem PA water and what is the TDS level?
Bethlehem water hardness is 4.5 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 160 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Bethlehem PA drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Bethlehem drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Bethlehem?
Based on Bethlehem's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Bethlehem has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

PittsburghPennsylvania — 58/100AllentownPennsylvania — 63/100PhiladelphiaPennsylvania — 67/100EriePennsylvania — 82/100ReadingPennsylvania — 82/100ScrantonPennsylvania — 82/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Bethlehem Water CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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