Bethany Beach Water Department

Municipal water sources include rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through ground layers, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials. It can also pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

To ensure tap water safety, the EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar safety standards for bottled water. Potential contaminants in source water include:

1. Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
2. Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
3. Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban storm runoff, and residential use
4. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, storm runoff, and septic systems
5. Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining

All water, including bottled water, reasonably contains at least trace amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants may face heightened infection risks. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to reduce infection risk from microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Our team at Bethany Beach Water Department works tirelessly to deliver high-quality water to every tap. We encourage our customers to help protect our water sources—they're vital to our community, way of life, and our children's future.

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