Is there PFAS in Rehoboth Beach Water Department water?

Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show Rehoboth Beach Water Department averaged 10.6 ppt of PFOA at its worst sampling point, 2.6 times the EPA limit of 4 ppt.

Rehoboth Beach Water Department is a public water system drawing on groundwater, based in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, serving about 25,000 people. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 6 times across 3 sampling points between Dec 2023 and Aug 2024.

Every PFAS detected

Not detected: PFHpS, HFPO-DA, ADONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFPeS, 6:2 FTS, PFBA, NEtFOSAA, PFTrDA, NMeFOSAA, 4:2 FTS, PFTA, PFMPA, PFUnA, PFNA, PFEESA, NFDHA, 8:2 FTS, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFDoA, PFDA, PFMBA.

Lithium, tested in the same program: not detected.

What the EPA limits mean here

In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.

Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.

What you can do at home

Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.

Other systems in Delaware

• Dewey Beach Water Department above an EPA limit
• South Bethany above an EPA limit
• Middletown Water Department none detected
• Camden Pump District none detected
• Garrison Lake Pump District none detected
• Sussex Shores Water Company none detected

All 36 tested systems in Delaware

ZIP codes served

19971

As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.

Cite this page

Well & Tap. "PFAS in Rehoboth Beach Water Department water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID DE0000723. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/delaware/rehoboth-beach-water-department/

About this data

Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID DE0000723). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.