Artesian Water Company

Exceptional Municipal Water Quality

We're pleased to present our annual Water Quality Report for 2017. This report is published each spring in accordance with EPA and Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) requirements. It outlines our monitoring and testing data from 2017 and provides valuable information about your water supply.

We're proud to report that our water continues to fully comply with all national and state municipal water standards. Since 1905, Artesian has delivered safe, high-quality water and excellent service throughout the Delmarva Peninsula.

Our dedicated teams work around the clock to monitor water quality. The treatment process includes disinfection, various purification methods, pH adjustment, and corrosion control as needed to ensure compliance with all regulations. In addition to treatment, we invested over $270,500 in water quality monitoring and compliance testing by EPA-certified labs and experts in our internal laboratory.

If you have questions about this report or your tap water quality, please call us at (302) 453-6930 or (800) 332-5114. Our Customer Service Representatives and Water Quality Division are ready to assist you. This report is also available on our website at www.artesianwater.com.

A Secure Water Source

The Artesian Water Company public water system is supplied by 50 wells throughout northern New Castle County. These wells tap the Columbia, Potomac, Cockeysville Marble and Mount Laurel formations. Our groundwater wells utilize natural aquifer filtration to remove unwanted organisms and substances. Located in confined aquifers, these wells provide additional protection from surface contaminants.

Our treatment facilities employ the best available technology to ensure water quality that meets or exceeds all EPA and State Division of Public Health standards. Regular testing helps maintain this high quality.

In 2017, we purchased approximately 3.0 million gallons per day of surface water from Chester Water Authority and an additional 0.04 million gallons per day from the City of Wilmington. The City of New Castle supplied over 16 million gallons, and approximately 5.7 million gallons came from the Fox Hunter public water system crossing the C&D Channel.

The Chester Water Authority's supply comes from the Susquehanna River basin, while Wilmington's supply originates from the Brandywine River basin. You can view water quality reports for these suppliers at their respective websites.

Investing In Water Quality

We encourage all customers to enroll in our Water, Sewer and Internal Plumbing Protection Plans. As a homeowner, you're responsible for maintaining water and sewer lines from your house to the street, as well as all internal plumbing. Unexpected issues like clogs, breaks, root intrusions, or pipe collapses can occur without warning, potentially causing backups, environmental damage, and costly repairs.

Artesian's Service Line Protection Plans provide peace of mind and can help cover unexpected costs of repairing and replacing internal wastewater pipes, leaking water lines, and sewer line collapses that might otherwise cost thousands of dollars to fix.

1. How could I have used this much water?
   You might not have - your meter reading might be incorrect or difficult to interpret. You could potentially have an undetected leaky toilet or faucet. Contact our office and we'll help troubleshoot the issue.
2. What should I do if I experience low water pressure?
   First, check your meter and surrounding area for possible leaks. Then call our office to report the low pressure in your location.
3. Why is my water discolored?
   Recent repairs may have allowed air to enter the line, causing a milky appearance. This typically clears up quickly.
4. What chemicals does the utility add to our water?
   We only add chemicals approved by the National Safety Foundation specifically for municipal water treatment.
5. My water tastes, looks, or smells unusual. Is it safe?
   All public water systems must maintain minimum disinfectant levels by state law (0.2 mg/L chlorine or 0.5 mg/L chloramine). We test these levels daily to ensure safety.
6. Why do particles appear when running hot water?
   Your water heater likely needs flushing. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional. If doing it yourself, carefully follow the owner's manual to avoid injury or damage.
7. Why do I have a balance due when I sent my payment?
   We may have received your payment after the due date or possibly not received it at all. Call our office for assistance resolving this issue.