According to data from the EWG Tap Water Database, Philadelphia's water was found to contain 22 total contaminants, with 6 of these contaminants exceeding EWG's health guidelines. While the data does not provide a definitive overall numerical rank for Philadelphia among all U.S. cities, it offers specific contaminant figures that allow for a comparison among a selection of major cities.
Understanding Philadelphia's Water Quality Data
The information available details the number of contaminants detected in tap water and how many of those exceed health guidelines set by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This provides insight into the quality of Philadelphia's drinking water in comparison to others in the same dataset.
Here's a breakdown of the contaminant levels for Philadelphia alongside other major U.S. cities included in the analysis:
| City, State | Total Contaminants Found | Total Contaminants Above EWG Health Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 46 | 10 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 18 | 7 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 22 | 6 |
| San Antonio, TX | 35 | 11 |
Philadelphia's Standing Among Select Major Cities
Based on the specific data points provided, Philadelphia's water quality demonstrates a notable standing among the listed cities:
- Lowest Contaminants Above Health Guidelines: Philadelphia reported 6 contaminants above EWG health guidelines, which is the lowest number among the four cities presented in this specific dataset. This indicates a relatively strong performance in meeting health-based standards compared to Houston (10), Phoenix (7), and San Antonio (11).
- Moderate Total Contaminants: With 22 total contaminants found, Philadelphia ranks second lowest in total contaminants among the listed cities. Phoenix had fewer total contaminants (18), while San Antonio (35) and Houston (46) reported higher numbers.
What These Numbers Mean
These figures reflect specific measurements from water tests. The EWG health guidelines are often more stringent than legal limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aiming to capture potential long-term health risks from even small amounts of contaminants. Therefore, a lower number of contaminants, especially those above EWG guidelines, is generally indicative of higher water quality from a health perspective.
