Skip to content

Baseline Water Quality Data Program

Doylestown Township has approved a plan to conduct a Baseline Water Quality survey of private wells within township limits. This survey supports the township’s mission to promote health, safety, and welfare for its residents.

Over half of Doylestown’s 6000 households have private wells. Unlike DTMA’s public water system, private wells are not regulated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Therefore, the water quality of private wells remains relatively unknown.

In early 2025, the Township received a grant through the Marcellus Shale Fund, administered through the PA Department of Community and Economic development. The grant provides funds for Doylestown to conduct a random sampling of 100 private wells. The testing will focus on wells which may be at risk from septic system discharge, industrial chemicals, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS. The wells will be identified by mailing letters in the Fall of 2025, requesting voluntary response and participation. Sampling will be performed in the Spring of 2026. Participation in this program will be voluntary and free. Test results will be distributed both to individual homeowners selected for the program and used for a baseline evaluation of different “Zones” of the Township. In the Township report, all sampling locations will be confidential.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: I did not receive a letter requesting my participation in the program, may I have my well water tested anyway?

A: Your water may be tested, but not by the project scientists conducting the Baseline Water Quality Data Program. Doylestown Township maintains a list of certified water testing facilities under the On Lot Disposal Systems Ordinance No.299. Several of these laboratories offer tests for agents being sampled in the program, including PFAS.

Q: I am on public water, should I have my water tested for these water quality benchmarks?

A: Public water quality benchmarks are already monitored by DTMA, and subject to federal drinking water standards. Water provided by the DTMA already meets these benchmarks. For information on the baseline levels of public water, reference DTMA’s yearly water quality reports.

Q: What water quality parameters will the program look for?

A: The Baseline Water Quality Data Program will evaluate baseline levels for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fecal coliform bacteria, and per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS).

Q: Who will see this information? What will it be used for?

A: The results of each test will be mailed to the household where the sample was obtained. The project scientists will then create a final summary report which will be submitted to the township. In the report all sampling locations will be confidential. The test results will be used to establish baseline groundwater quality indicators township wide. This will provide the valuable data to make decisions which promote health, safety, and welfare in Doylestown Township.                           

Helpful links: