Is Slaughter Beach, DE Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Slaughter Beach ranks. What to do next ↓
96.9/100
waterverge.com Slaughter Beach, DE — Water Quality Report
Slaughter Beach's drinking water received a grade of A+ (96.9 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 846 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 1 violation on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Slaughter Beach's water
Slaughter Beach ranks #2 out of 43 cities in Delaware for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Slaughter Beach relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Slaughter Beach may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Slaughter Beach, DE water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Slaughter Beach's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (96.9/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 846 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Slaughter Beach
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Slaughter Beach's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (96.9/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4627). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4566). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Slaughter Beach's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Slaughter Beach's water system has 1 total violation on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
Flood & environmental risk
New Castle County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1999. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Christina River, East Branch White Clay Creek At Avondale, Trout Run At Avondale, Middle Branch White Clay Creek Near West Grove,Pa, West Branch White Clay Creek Near Chesterville.
Where does Slaughter Beach's water come from?
Slaughter Beach's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 846 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Christina River (river), East Branch White Clay Creek At Avondale (river), Trout Run At Avondale (river), Middle Branch White Clay Creek Near West Grove,Pa (river), West Branch White Clay Creek Near Chesterville (river).
What Slaughter Beach residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Slaughter Beach's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Slaughter Beach
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Slaughter Beach, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
DENTSPLY SIRONA - MILFORD SITE MILFORD, DE19963 | — | — | 6.9 mi |
PERDUE FOODS LLC - MILFORD PROCESSING PLANT MILFORD, DE19963 | — | — | 5.8 mi |
BALTIMORE AIRCOIL CO MILFORD, DE19963 | — | — | 8.4 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtSussex County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
New Castle County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1999. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Slaughter Beach compares by contaminant
Explore where Slaughter Beach ranks among all Delaware cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Slaughter Beach's water comes from
Slaughter Beach's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 846 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Slaughter Beach
Slaughter Beach is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Slaughter Beach
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLAUGHTER BEACH PWS | DE0002618 | 846 | GW |
How Slaughter Beach compares
Full Delaware rankings →Slaughter Beach's score of 96.9/100 is above the average of 74/100 among major Delaware cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Delaware rankings →About Slaughter Beach, DE
Wikipedia →Newark is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. Home to the University of Delaware, it is located 8 miles (13 km) west-southwest of Wilmington and 28 miles (45 km) southwest of Philadelphia. According to the 2020 census, the town's population is 30,601. It constitutes part of the Delaware Valley, and the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Slaughter Beach's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Sussex
Frequently asked questions
Is Slaughter Beach, DE tap water safe to drink?
Slaughter Beach's water quality earned a grade of A+ (96.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #2 out of 43 cities tested in Delaware.
What contaminants are in Slaughter Beach's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 1 violation is on record.
How is Slaughter Beach's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Slaughter Beach?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Slaughter Beach's water come from?
Slaughter Beach's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 846 residents.
What health violations has Slaughter Beach's water system had?
Slaughter Beach has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2012. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is Slaughter Beach's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Slaughter Beach uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 1 violation on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Slaughter Beach's water compare to other cities?
Slaughter Beach ranks #2 out of 43 cities in Delaware (better than 95% of state cities) and #130 out of 15744 cities nationally (99th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Slaughter Beach's small water system affect quality?
Slaughter Beach's system serves approximately 846 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 1 violation on record.