In results to April 13, 2026, running annual averages at Philadelphia Water Department's Queen Lane plant showed PFOA at 6.8 ppt and PFOS at 4.6 ppt, while Belmont showed PFOA at 5.6 ppt. All three exceed the 4 ppt federal limit, which carries an April 2029 compliance date; a May 2026 EPA proposal would let systems seek an exemption to 2031.
Compliant today
These results are not violations. In calendar 2024 the highest PFOA result was 7.3 ppt and the highest PFOS result 5.5 ppt, against Pennsylvania limits of 14 ppt and 18 ppt. PWD reported no maximum contaminant level violations in 2024, although it did report two late-reporting violations that year.
A treatment choice still open
PWD is piloting treatment. It has named granular activated carbon, ion exchange and reverse osmosis as options and, according to KYW Newsradio in July 2026, is also exploring powdered activated carbon. The three plants have a combined rated treatment capacity of 546 MGD, so any upgrade applies at large scale.
A crowded calendar
PFAS is one of several deadlines landing together. The federal lead rule issued on October 8, 2024 requires lead pipes to be replaced within 10 years, and PWD's first pilot budgets about 1,000 lead service lines. The Green City, Clean Waters Year 15 Evaluation and Adaptation Plan is due to the state in August 2027, and the program's Year 25 goal falls in 2036. The current rate period ends on August 31, 2027.
How these obligations sit against a capital program reported at US$4,731.85 million by PWD and about US$6.4 billion by Moody's, and what the Rate Board and bond market must fund, are covered in the full report. The full report, Water Systems Overview: Philadelphia Water Department, is available for USD 499. For a free overview, read the Philadelphia Water Department Utility Snapshot.