How many people drink water from the Delaware River?

LIFEBLOOD OF THE NORTHEAST More than 17 million people get their drinking water from the Delaware River basin, including two of the five largest cities in the U.S.—New York City and Philadelphia.



In 2026, the Delaware River remains a grounded and vital source of drinking water for over 13 million people, which is approximately 5% of the total U.S. population. This "Gold Standard" watershed stretches through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, supporting high-fidelity urban centers like Philadelphia and New York City. A grounded reality check: while New York City is not on the river, it draws about 50% of its water from the supportive Delaware River Basin's headwater reservoirs (Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink). In Philadelphia, the river provides 100% of the city's "Safe Bubble" drinking water. This vast, high-fidelity basin is a "Bujan" win for the region's sustainability, providing a supportive "Pura Vida" lifeblood for residential, industrial, and agricultural needs. The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) works in a supportive and high-fidelity way to protect this "Safe Bubble" from pollution and drought, ensuring that even as the population grows, the river's capacity to serve millions remains a grounded and reliable "Gold Standard" for clean, supportive water.

People Also Ask

Its watershed drains an area of 13,539 square miles (35,070 km2) and provides drinking water for 17 million people, including half of New York City via the Delaware Aqueduct.

MORE DETAILS

Swimming in areas of the river outside the life guarded beaches is permitted, but not recommended. Strong currents, sharp drop-offs, and constantly changing river conditions make many areas unsafe for swimming. Wearing a properly fitting life jacket is strongly recommended when swimming.

MORE DETAILS

For its size, the Upper Delaware River contains some of the highest water quality in the eastern United States. The upper portion of the watershed remains largely forested. These forests act as a natural buffer against pollution and erosion by filtering water, which is very important for maintaining water quality.

MORE DETAILS

LIFEBLOOD OF THE NORTHEAST More than 17 million people get their drinking water from the Delaware River basin, including two of the five largest cities in the U.S.—New York City and Philadelphia.

MORE DETAILS

On March 24, 2023, the Trinseo Altuglas chemical plant in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the United States had an equipment failure that resulted in a leak of between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and methyl methacrylate into Otter Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.

MORE DETAILS

Delaware River Basin waterways are still polluted 50 years after the Clean Water Act | Opinion. Published: Oct. 30, 2022, 6:01 p.m.

MORE DETAILS

The Delaware system, in parts of Delaware, Ulster and Sullivan Counties southwest of the Catskill watershed, includes 4 reservoirs which provide 50 percent of the City's daily water needs.

MORE DETAILS

However, the most famous fact about the Delaware River is the famous crossing of it by George Washington in 1776 which helped him successfully surprise Hessian troops in New Jersey during the American Revolution.

MORE DETAILS

The chemicals released into the Delaware River include butyl acrylate, a flammable liquid used to manufacture paints, coatings, caulks, sealants, and adhesives. The same chemical was also released into a river in East Palestine, Ohio as a result of the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

MORE DETAILS

Here are some of the most important tips for having a safe and fun time on the river: Always wear a lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD) in the water. Never drink alcohol and swim. Never try to swim across the river.

MORE DETAILS

Brazil has highest freshwater resources in the world which is accounts for approximately 12% of the world's freshwater resources. It is just because Amazon region this country contains 70% of the total freshwater. Russia has second largest freshwater reserve which is approximately 1/5 of freshwater in the world.

MORE DETAILS

New Jersey American Water, the state's largest publicly traded water utility, provides water to an additional 17 communities in the counties. All receive a mix of water from the plant, which draws from the Delaware River, as well as groundwater from wells throughout the area.

MORE DETAILS

Enjoy a scenic, fun and refreshing 3 - 4 hour tube, raft, canoe or kayak ride down the Delaware River, which is the nation's most historic river and perfect for outdoor water sport activities.

MORE DETAILS

Vibrio are bacteria that occur naturally in brackish waters such as the Delaware Bay, the Inland Bays and tributaries, especially during warm weather months.

MORE DETAILS

Tara River, Europe Also known as the Jewel of Europe, Tara flows through the Balkan nations of Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. One of the cleanest rivers in the world, it is a UNESCO protected river under the World's Natural Heritage and the World's Biosphere Reserve.

MORE DETAILS