PA DEP – Bureau of Safe Drinking Water – Harrisburg, PA

Ensuring Safe Drinking Water for Pennsylvania

Bureau Overview

The Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, headquartered within the Rachel Carson State Office Building, is the division of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) dedicated to managing the state’s drinking water program. This office implements the federal and state Safe Drinking Water Acts, overseeing nearly 8,500 public water systems to ensure they provide water that is safe, clean, and reliable for all Pennsylvanians.

Regulatory Functions

The bureau’s central office in Harrisburg sets the standards and policies that regional offices enforce. Key responsibilities include:

• Compliance Monitoring: Tracking water quality data to detect violations of maximum contaminant levels (MCLs).
• Permitting: Reviewing and approving permits for new water sources, treatment plants, and distribution systems.
• Emerging Contaminants: Developing regulations and testing protocols for new threats, such as PFAS (forever chemicals) and lead.
• Emergency Response: Coordinating state resources during water supply emergencies, such as main breaks, contamination events, or droughts.

Systems and Reporting

The bureau manages the Drinking Water Reporting System (DWRS), a public-facing database where residents can check the compliance history and test results of their local water supplier. They also oversee the accreditation of environmental laboratories that analyze drinking water samples, ensuring data accuracy.

Location and Security

Located at 400 Market Street, the bureau is part of the main DEP headquarters. Access to the building is restricted and requires passing through security screening with metal detectors. Visitors attending meetings or hearings must present valid photo identification. While general questions can often be answered by phone or email, the office is open for official business during standard state hours.