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Artesian Water Company

Hockessin,Bear, DE · serves 208,875 · Purchased surface waterDE0000552
Action recommended
PFAS detected above the federal limit. Utilities have until 2029 to install treatment; until then, a certified filter handles it at the tap.
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Measured in your 2023 water report
From your utility's Consumer Confidence Report · 30 contaminants tested
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Contaminants detected above federal limits
Your utility's own 2023 water report disclosed the following levels. Utilities have until 2029 to comply with new federal limits.
ContaminantDetected LevelFederal LimitHow Far Over
PFOA9 ng/L4 ng/L~2.3× the limit
Above limit
Approaching limit
Within limits
Regulated contaminants — legally enforceable limits
Barium▸
0.215 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A naturally occurring metal found in mineral deposits. Enters water through erosion of natural deposits or discharge from drilling and metal refining operations.
Why it matters
At high levels, barium can cause increased blood pressure. Levels well below the MCL of 2 mg/L are not a health concern.
What to do
No action needed at typical detection levels. Barium is rarely found near its MCL in treated drinking water.
Chromium▸
0.009 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A metal found naturally in rocks, soil, and volcanic dust. Total chromium includes both chromium-3 (essential nutrient) and chromium-6 (the "Erin Brockovich" contaminant).
Why it matters
The federal MCL of 0.1 mg/L covers total chromium. Most health concern is specifically about chromium-6, which has no federal MCL but is monitored in some states.
What to do
If total chromium is well below the MCL, no action needed. If you want to know the chromium-6 level specifically, check if your utility tests for it separately.
Combined Radium▸
4.33 pCi/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
The combined measurement of radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements found in some groundwater, especially in the Midwest and Great Plains.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 5 pCi/L increases cancer risk, particularly bone cancer. Radium is most common in deep groundwater wells.
What to do
Ion exchange water softeners can reduce radium. Reverse osmosis is also effective. If your system uses groundwater and radium is detected, a point-of-use filter adds a layer of protection.
Fluoride▸
1.08 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Naturally occurring mineral, also added to many water systems to prevent tooth decay. The MCL (4 mg/L) is much higher than the typical added amount (0.7 mg/L).
Why it matters
At levels near the MCL, long-term exposure can cause skeletal fluorosis (bone pain and tenderness). The secondary standard of 2 mg/L triggers a required public notice about dental fluorosis risk in children.
What to do
Levels below 2 mg/L are within the range considered safe. If above 2 mg/L, children under 9 may be at risk for dental fluorosis — talk to your pediatric dentist.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found lower IQ in children and potential thyroid disruption at concentrations as low as 1.5 mg/L — 3x below the US federal limit.
Gross Alpha▸
5.1 pCi/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A screening test that measures total alpha radiation from all radioactive elements in water — including radium, uranium, and radon.
Why it matters
The MCL of 15 pCi/L protects against long-term cancer risk from radiation exposure.
What to do
No action needed at typical detection levels. If near the MCL, reverse osmosis and ion exchange filters can reduce radioactive contaminants.
MTBE▸
1 µg/L
CA notificationCalifornia advisory
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Nitrate (as N)▸
7.36 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Comes from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. One of the most common groundwater contaminants in agricultural areas.
Why it matters
Nitrate above 10 mg/L can cause "blue baby syndrome" (methemoglobinemia) in infants under 6 months — it interferes with blood's ability to carry oxygen. Adults can tolerate higher levels.
What to do
If you have an infant on formula and your water is above 5 mg/L, consider using bottled water for formula preparation. Boiling water does NOT remove nitrate — it concentrates it.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found neural tube defects, preterm birth, and low birth weight at concentrations as low as 5 mg/L — 2x below the US federal limit.
Selenium▸
0.005 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A naturally occurring element essential in small amounts but toxic at high levels. Enters water from erosion of natural deposits and discharge from mines and refineries.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 0.05 mg/L can cause hair and fingernail loss, numbness, and circulation problems.
What to do
No action needed at typical detection levels. Selenium is rarely found near its MCL in treated water.
Lead & copper — tested at your tap
Copper▸
0.247 mg/L
Action levellegally enforceable
What is it?
Leaches from copper household plumbing and pipes. Some copper is a normal part of drinking water infrastructure.
Why it matters
Short-term exposure above the action level of 1.3 mg/L can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage. At typical detected levels (well below the AL), copper is not a health concern.
What to do
If above the action level, run your tap for 30 seconds before drinking. Copper levels decrease as water flows through the pipes.
Lead▸
0.001 mg/L
Action levellegally enforceable
What is it?
Lead in drinking water almost always comes from your home's plumbing — not from the water source or treatment plant. Lead pipes, solder, and brass fixtures can leach lead, especially if water sits in pipes for hours.
Why it matters
There is no safe level of lead exposure. Even low levels can harm children's brain development, and cause kidney and blood pressure problems in adults. The action level of 15 µg/L is a regulatory trigger, not a safety threshold.
What to do
Run your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning. Use cold water for cooking and formula — hot water leaches more lead. A filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead removal is the most reliable protection.
What the research says
There is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead crosses the placenta and causes preterm birth and cognitive impairment in children at blood lead levels below 10 µg/dL.
Disinfection byproducts
HAA5▸
6.61 µg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Another group of disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. HAA5 measures the five most common species.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 60 µg/L (0.060 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk. Like THMs, the MCL is based on a running annual average.
What to do
Activated carbon filters can reduce HAA5. If your system consistently approaches the limit, a reverse osmosis filter provides more complete removal.
TTHM▸
20.6 µg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Formed when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with natural organic matter. Includes chloroform, bromoform, and related compounds. The trade-off: disinfection prevents waterborne disease, but creates these byproducts.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 80 µg/L (0.080 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk and possible reproductive effects. The MCL is based on a running annual average, not a single sample.
What to do
If your system is near or above the limit, an activated carbon filter (including pitcher filters like Brita) can reduce THMs. Running water for a minute before drinking also helps, as THMs are volatile and dissipate.
PFAS
PFOA▸
9 ng/L ×2.3
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Perfluorooctanoic acid — a "forever chemical" used in non-stick coatings, stain repellents, and firefighting foam. It doesn't break down in the environment or your body.
Why it matters
The EPA set an MCL of 4 ng/L (parts per trillion) in 2024 — one of the strictest drinking water standards ever set. PFOA is linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune system effects, and reproductive harm.
What to do
A reverse osmosis filter (NSF/ANSI 58) or activated carbon filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified for PFOA) can reduce levels by 90%+. Pitcher filters with activated carbon provide partial reduction. Utilities have until 2029 to comply with the new MCL.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found preeclampsia, low birth weight, and immunotoxicity in infants with a dose-response relationship across the range of concentrations found in drinking water.
PFOS▸
4 ng/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid — a "forever chemical" widely used in firefighting foam, stain repellents, and food packaging. Persists indefinitely in the environment.
Why it matters
MCL of 4 ng/L, same as PFOA. PFOS is linked to cancer, immune suppression, thyroid disease, and elevated cholesterol. It accumulates in the body over years of exposure.
What to do
Same as PFOA — reverse osmosis or NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filters. Utilities have until 2029 to comply.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found preeclampsia, reduced birth weight, and impaired immune response in infants with a dose-response relationship across the range of concentrations found in drinking water.
Disinfectants — MRDL
Chlorine▸
3.18 mg/L
MRDLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Added intentionally to kill bacteria and viruses. A chlorine residual in your tap water means the disinfection is still active through the distribution system — this is by design.
Why it matters
The MRDL of 4 mg/L is the maximum allowed. Typical levels are 0.5–2 mg/L. Chlorine at normal levels is not a health concern — the disease risk from untreated water is far greater.
What to do
If you don't like the taste, let water sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes or use an activated carbon filter. Both remove chlorine taste and odor.
WHO recommendation
Manganese▸
0.029 mg/L
WHO guidelineinternational, unenforced
What is it?
A naturally occurring metal that enters water through eroding rocks and soils, and occasionally from industrial sources. Common in groundwater, especially in some regions of the Midwest and Northeast.
Why it matters
Manganese is essential in small amounts but a developmental neurotoxin at higher exposures. Studies have linked manganese in drinking water to attention and learning difficulties in children, including ADHD, with effects detectable at levels below the EPA's aesthetic standard of 0.05 mg/L. The WHO sets a provisional health-based guideline of 0.08 mg/L; some researchers argue this should be lower. Infants drinking formula made with manganese-rich water may be particularly exposed. EPA's 0.05 mg/L secondary standard exists to prevent black or brown staining on laundry and fixtures — not as a health protection.
What to do
If manganese is at or near WHO's 0.08 mg/L guideline, a reverse osmosis filter certified to NSF/ANSI 58 removes most manganese. Activated carbon and standard pitcher filters do not effectively remove dissolved manganese. For infant formula preparation, parents in areas with detectable manganese may want to use filtered or bottled water — this is what MDH (Minnesota) and several other state health departments now recommend.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found increased ADHD risk and lower IQ in children, with effects observed in a dose-response pattern from <5 µg/L upward (no clean threshold below which the association disappears) with a dose-response relationship across the range of concentrations found in drinking water.
Nickel▸
0.007 mg/L
WHO guidelineinternational, unenforced
What is it?
A metal that enters water from natural deposits and industrial discharge. The federal MCL was remanded (withdrawn) in 1995 but monitoring continues.
Why it matters
No current federal MCL. At typical detection levels, nickel in drinking water is not considered a health concern for most people. People with nickel allergies may be more sensitive.
What to do
No action needed at typical detection levels.
Sodium▸
30.9 mg/L
WHO guidelineinternational, unenforced
What is it?
Naturally present in most water sources. Also increases from road salt, water softeners, and natural mineral deposits.
Why it matters
There is no federal MCL for sodium. The WHO suggests a guideline of 200 mg/L for people on sodium-restricted diets. For most people, sodium in water is a small fraction of dietary intake.
What to do
If you're on a sodium-restricted diet and your water is above 20 mg/L, talk to your doctor. For most people, no action needed.
OTHER
pH, Field▸
7.33 0 - 14 scale
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Solids, total dissolved▸
212 mg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
% of limit

Other measurements

These describe characteristics of the water that aren’t health risks at typical levels — mineral content, taste, hardness, and similar.

Hardness
▸
113 mg/L· moderately hard
Alkalinity
▸
82 mg/L
Chloride
▸
59 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 250 mg/L)
Iron
▸
0.04 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 0.3 mg/L)
Phosphate
▸
1.55 mg/L
Specific Conductance
▸
391 µmhos/cm
(EPA secondary standard: 1600 µmhos/cm)
Sulfate
▸
21.1 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 250 mg/L)
TOC
▸
0.31 mg/L
Zinc
▸
0.081 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 5 mg/L)

CCR data in early access — values are extracted from utility PDFs and may contain errors. Verify with your utility's 2023 CCR report.

Flagged for review
The following measurements were extracted from this system's Consumer Confidence Report but have been flagged for verification. These values are likely extraction or unit errors and have been removed from the chart above.
ContaminantReported ValueLimitReason
Cyanide11 mg/L0.2 mg/LValue 11 mg/L exceeds sanity limit (2) — possible unit or extraction error
Think this data is correct?
Source: ARTESIAN WATER COMPANY Consumer Confidence Report 2023 · Extracted by WaterScore
Measured data
Private Well Risk

Do you have or use a private well? Measured concentrations from nearby private wells sampled within 5 miles.

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13 sites within 10 mi
Nearby Superfund Sites

13 EPA Superfund sites within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily mean your water is affected.

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Blended supply
Water Sources

Hockessin,Bear uses both groundwater and surface water sources, giving it more supply flexibility during drought conditions. Emergency backup sources are available if primary supplies are disrupted.

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Spatial context
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