Water Quality
Environmental Risk Factor
Water quality refers to the safety and cleanliness of the drinking water supply delivered to homes and businesses. Contaminants can enter water from aging infrastructure (lead pipes), agricultural runoff (nitrates, pesticides), industrial discharge, and naturally occurring minerals. Despite federal regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act, many communities experience water quality violations or detect contaminants at levels of concern. PFAS (forever chemicals), lead from aging service lines, and disinfection byproducts are emerging nationwide issues. Community water quality varies significantly based on source water, treatment methods, and distribution infrastructure age.
How It's Measured
Water quality is assessed through regular testing for over 90 regulated contaminants under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for each. Water utilities are required to publish annual Consumer Confidence Reports detailing test results. We score water quality on a 0-100 scale based on the number and severity of violations, detected contaminants, and overall compliance history. Higher scores indicate better water quality.
Health Effects
- ⚠️Lead exposure causes neurological damage, especially in children
- ⚠️Nitrate contamination can cause blue baby syndrome in infants
- ⚠️PFAS chemicals linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and immune suppression
- ⚠️Disinfection byproducts associated with increased cancer risk
- ⚠️Arsenic exposure linked to skin, bladder, and lung cancers
- ⚠️Microbial contamination can cause gastrointestinal illness
Data Sources
- 📊EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- 📊Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database
- 📊Local water utility Consumer Confidence Reports
- 📊State health department water quality testing data
How to Protect Yourself
- ✓Read your annual water quality Consumer Confidence Report
- ✓Test your tap water independently, especially for lead
- ✓Use NSF-certified water filters appropriate for your contaminants of concern
- ✓Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if pipes are old
- ✓Check if your home has lead service lines and advocate for replacement
- ✓Consider installing a whole-house or under-sink filtration system