Northampton County, Pennsylvania: drinking water report. Northampton County borders Lehigh County in the eastern Lehigh Valley, home to about 320,000…
Northampton County borders Lehigh County in the eastern Lehigh Valley, home to about 320,000 residents. Easton, Bethlehem, and surrounding communities draw from the Delaware River, Lehigh River, and local groundwater. The county's position at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers provides abundant source water options.
UCMR5 data shows low-level PFAS detections in Northampton County systems. The county's mix of former industrial sites, agricultural land, and suburban development creates varied water quality across the different provider service areas. According to the Pennsylvania DEP's 2024 monitoring data, county systems met federal standards.
Bethlehem's former Bethlehem Steel site – one of the largest brownfield redevelopment projects in the country – left legacy contamination in soils and groundwater in the southern part of the county. While the drinking water system draws from upstream sources not affected by the steel plant contamination, the overall environmental legacy shapes public perception of water quality.
Northampton County benefits from abundant river sources and generally clean water. The industrial legacy is primarily a soil and groundwater concern rather than a drinking water issue.
Check your water for current data. A carbon filter improves taste, while reverse osmosis provides broader protection. Our water filter guide covers options. Pull your detailed report, and visit our Pennsylvania page for statewide data.