Despite significant advancements in water treatment and regulation, a substantial number of Americans continue to consume tap water that contains unsafe levels of harmful substances. These contaminants include toxic chemicals, heavy metals like lead, bacteria, and various other pollutants, posing potential health risks to consumers. This guide provides essential information on how to assess the quality of your tap water and outlines effective methods for purifying it to ensure your drinking water is safe and healthy.
Fifty years ago, a landmark investigation by Consumer Reports titled "Is the Water Safe to Drink?" revealed a troubling reality: the nation's drinking water was largely unsafe. The investigation found widespread contamination with bacteria, viruses, asbestos, and lead, compounded by insufficient testing and treatment. Financial resources to address these issues were scarce, and emerging concerns about thousands of poorly understood synthetic compounds further complicated the situation.
This exposé played a pivotal role in the passage of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act later that year, a significant victory for consumer protection. The act empowered the newly established Environmental Protection Agency to set enforceable limits on contaminants in drinking water, marking a turning point in the nation's efforts to ensure water safety.
Today, while the nation's water supply is safer in many respects than ever before, it still faces a range of both longstanding and emerging threats, says Ronnie Levin, an instructor in environmental health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. Levin, who is also the lead author of a September 2023 review on U.S. water quality published in the *Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology*, highlights that despite significant improvements over the past fifty years, many issues persist. "A lot of things are better," she says, "but a lot of things, surprisingly, are not."
Indeed, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set limits on numerous contaminants, such as arsenic, but experts caution that these limits are often set too high to fully protect public health. While modern water treatment methods can effectively eliminate pathogens, there are still risks of disease outbreaks when treatment processes fall short. Additionally, research has uncovered potential dangers associated with the byproducts of disinfectants used to purify water. Compounding these concerns is the fact that millions of Americans rely on private wells for their drinking water, which remain completely unregulated, leaving many vulnerable to contamination.
Most alarmingly, our understanding of the health risks associated with the vast array of synthetic compounds previously flagged by Consumer Reports has significantly deepened. Of particular concern are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and within our bodies. These substances are pervasive in consumer goods and have been linked to a range of health problems, including certain cancers, immune system dysfunction, female infertility, and other adverse effects.
The ubiquity of PFAS contamination is staggering, with estimates suggesting that nearly half of the nation's tap water may contain at least one of these harmful chemicals. Consumer Reports' own testing further underscores this concern, having detected PFAS in 98% of tap water samples collected nationwide, with over a third exceeding levels deemed safe by CR scientists. This widespread presence of PFAS in drinking water sources highlights the urgent need for effective regulation and remediation strategies.
Similar to the challenges faced 50 years ago, the EPA's regulatory capacity struggles to keep pace with the rapid development and introduction of new, potentially harmful chemicals by industries. While the agency has recently proposed groundbreaking regulations to restrict PFAS levels in drinking water, concerns persist regarding the adequacy of these limits in safeguarding public health, especially for vulnerable populations like children.
Moreover, regulatory measures alone cannot address the financial hurdles that impede progress. Despite the ban on new lead pipes since 1986, millions of outdated pipes remain in use, posing ongoing risks exemplified by the Flint, Michigan water crisis. The deterioration of water infrastructure nationwide outpaces available funding, as highlighted by the recent water system failures in Jackson, Mississippi. These combined challenges underscore the complexity of ensuring safe drinking water for all Americans.
Water utilities nationwide are grappling with the immense financial burden of removing PFAS and other emerging contaminants from drinking water. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, enacted in November 2021, allocated a historic $55 billion investment in drinking water infrastructure. However, this funding is considered merely a starting point for tackling the extensive water quality issues across the nation.
Given these challenges, individuals are understandably concerned about ensuring the safety and quality of their drinking water. This guide offers practical steps to improve the safety, taste, and smell of your tap water at home.
How to Check Your Drinking Water
Mandating that water utilities not only test water but also publicly disclose the results was a pivotal step in promoting water quality transparency. This practice significantly raised public awareness and empowered communities and individuals to address emerging water contamination issues. However, the resulting reports, known as Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), have significant limitations.
CCRs can be difficult to obtain and understand. They often focus only on contaminants that utilities are legally required to test for, potentially excluding emerging concerns like PFAS. Additionally, they primarily assess water quality at treatment plants, failing to account for contaminants that may enter the water during distribution or within homes, such as lead. Moreover, CCRs are irrelevant for the estimated 23 million households relying on private wells, which are not subject to the same testing and reporting requirements.
To comprehensively evaluate your water quality, it's crucial to consider the source of your water, whether it's from a public utility or a private well. The following sections provide guidance on how to obtain a more complete understanding of your water quality in either scenario.
The vast majority of Americans (90%) receive their drinking water from public systems regulated by the EPA. Understanding the quality of this water is crucial. Start by obtaining your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), an annual water quality report that should be sent to you by July 1st if you pay your water bill directly. If you don't receive it, contact your water supplier. Renters or condo dwellers should request the report from their landlord or building manager. Alternatively, search for it on the utility's website or the EPA's website.
Once you have your CCR, focus on the summary section, which outlines any detected contaminants exceeding government limits. This summary will also explain associated health risks, ongoing remediation efforts, and recommended actions for consumers. If you have questions, contact your local water supplier or the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline.
Deciding whether to test your tap water is an important consideration, particularly when it comes to assessing the presence of specific contaminants. Two common contaminants, lead and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), require special attention when making this decision.
**Lead:** Your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) will typically display the average lead level based on samples taken from a limited number of homes within your community, but it may not accurately reflect the conditions in your specific home. Therefore, testing your tap water for lead is advisable, even if your CCR does not show elevated levels. This is especially important if you live in a home or apartment built before 1986, as older plumbing systems are more likely to contain lead pipes or solder. Additionally, testing is highly recommended if there is a pregnant person or young child in your household, as lead exposure poses significant health risks to these vulnerable groups.
**PFAS:** Testing for PFAS is another critical consideration, particularly if your CCR does not include information about these chemicals or if the thresholds reported exceed the levels recommended by Consumer Reports (CR). Specifically, CR recommends testing if levels exceed 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 0.02 ppt for PFOS—two compounds of significant concern—or if levels exceed 5 ppt for any other PFAS and 10 ppt for total PFAS. Testing is even more prudent if you live near a site that is known or suspected to be contaminated with PFAS, such as a manufacturing plant, airport, or military base. For additional guidance on whether your area might be at risk, you can consult a map maintained by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which tracks PFAS contamination sites across the country (available at ewg.org/interactive-maps/pfas-contamination).
By considering these factors, you can make a more informed decision about whether testing your tap water is necessary to ensure the safety of your household's drinking water.
For the minority of Americans who rely on private wells for their drinking water, ensuring water safety requires a more proactive and independent approach. Unlike those served by public utilities, well owners are largely responsible for testing and treating their water. This includes identifying potential contaminants, arranging for testing, and implementing necessary treatment measures.
To determine which contaminants to prioritize, consult your county health department. They can provide insights into prevalent concerns in your area and may offer programs to offset testing costs.
Regardless of location, all well owners should test for bacteria. Those near farmland should also consider testing for nitrates (from animal manure) and pesticides. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, can seep into groundwater in some regions and warrants testing. For lead and PFAS, the same considerations apply as for those using public water systems.
The EPA advises annual well water testing, with immediate testing recommended under specific circumstances: reports of contaminated groundwater in your vicinity, significant changes near your well due to flooding, construction, or other activities, repairs or replacements to your well system, or noticeable changes in your water's color, taste, or smell.
If you decide to test your tap water, whether it comes from a public utility or a private well, it's important to approach the process carefully to ensure accurate and reliable results.
First, be cautious about the many do-it-yourself (DIY) test kits available online or at hardware stores. These kits allow you to test a water sample at home without sending it to a lab. However, the reliability and accuracy of these kits can be questionable, as it is not always clear what specific contaminants they test for or how precise their results are.
Instead, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using a certified laboratory for water testing. You can find a list of certified labs by visiting the EPA's website (epa.gov/dwlabcert). While using a certified lab is the most reliable method, it can be expensive, with some comprehensive test kits costing over $500, depending on the range of contaminants being tested. However, it's worth checking with your local health department, as they may offer free or low-cost testing options.
If your primary concern is lead contamination, the nonprofit organization Healthy Babies Bright Futures provides an affordable lead test kit (available at leadkit.hbbf.org). This low-cost option can be a good choice if you're specifically focused on testing for lead.
Another alternative is to use mail-in test kits, which involve sending a water sample to a certified lab. Consumer Reports (CR) has evaluated several of these mail-in kits, and they all performed well in CR's tests. These kits vary in cost and in the specific contaminants they test for, so it’s important to choose one that meets your particular needs.
By opting for a certified lab or a reputable mail-in test kit, you can ensure that your tap water is thoroughly tested for a range of potential contaminants, providing you with peace of mind about the safety of your drinking water.
**What Shouldn't Be in Your Water**
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates around 90 different contaminants in drinking water, ensuring that the levels of these substances are kept within specific limits to protect public health. Many of these contaminants, such as E. coli and lead, are well-known. However, others, like pentachlorophenol—a chemical discharged from wood-preserving factories—are less familiar to the general public.
The EPA sets legal limits on the concentration of each contaminant that can be present in drinking water. However, experts like Kelly Hunter Foster, a senior attorney at the Waterkeeper Alliance, caution that these limits can sometimes be higher than what is considered ideal for health protection. For instance, the "public health goal" for benzene—a known carcinogen—is zero, meaning that ideally, there should be no benzene in drinking water. Yet, the EPA allows a maximum of 0.05 parts per million of benzene in drinking water, which is significantly higher than the zero level deemed safest.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization, provides detailed information on the federal legal limits for these contaminants as well as their own, often lower, recommended levels. You can access this information on their website (ewg.org/tapwater/ewg-standards.php), which offers a comprehensive breakdown of various contaminants, how they enter the water supply, and their potential health impacts.
In the information provided, contaminants are grouped according to their sources and effects, with descriptions of how they infiltrate water systems and the health risks they pose both in the short and long term. The guide also includes details on emerging contaminants like PFAS, which are not yet federally regulated but are increasingly recognized as hazardous to health.
Understanding what shouldn't be in your water is crucial for protecting your health. By staying informed about these contaminants and the limits set by regulatory bodies like the EPA, you can take steps to ensure that the water you consume is as safe as possible.
Water Trouble? What to Do
Discovering contamination in your water, either through a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or your own testing, can be alarming. The urgency of the situation and the necessary actions depend largely on the specific contaminants detected.Bacteria
If your water tests positive for bacteria like E. coli or Legionella, promptly contact your local health department for assistance in interpreting the results. Depending on the type of bacteria found, you may need to cease consumption of the water entirely until it undergoes proper treatment. This is particularly crucial if your household includes vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, young children, or pregnant women.Lead
Elevated lead levels necessitate immediate action. Children who have been exposed should be taken to a doctor to assess their blood lead levels. Adults in the household should also consider getting tested. Subsequent steps will be determined by the results of these blood tests.PFAS
While the presence of PFAS in your water is concerning, routine blood testing for these chemicals is not typically recommended. Such tests are often difficult to access, costly, and limited in scope, and they may not provide definitive information about your health status. Given that PFAS pose long-term health risks, the best course of action is to maintain regular medical checkups and minimize further exposure.Reporting and Remediation
Regardless of the contaminant, it's crucial to inform your public water utility and local health department about your findings. This allows them to investigate the issue and implement appropriate solutions. If you encounter unresponsiveness from these entities, consider contacting your elected officials to apply pressure and expedite action.Filtration
Whether the contamination poses an immediate health threat or simply affects the water's aesthetic qualities, utilizing a filter can be an effective way to remove contaminants and improve the safety and palatability of your drinking water.
The Problem With Bottled Water
Americans consume a staggering amount of bottled water annually, often driven by convenience or perceived safety concerns. While bottled water can be a temporary solution when tap water is contaminated, it's not ideal in the long run.
Bottled water isn't always as pure as assumed, with reports of contamination by heavy metals, PFAS, and other substances. Moreover, the plastic packaging itself poses risks. PET plastic, commonly used in bottles, can leach harmful chemicals into the water.
The environmental impact of bottled water is also significant. The manufacturing and disposal of plastic bottles contribute to pollution and release chemicals that can further contaminate water sources. This creates a cycle where the very industry intended to provide clean water can inadvertently contribute to its pollution.
A More Sustainable Solution
For those concerned about tap water quality, investing in a reusable glass or stainless steel bottle is a more sustainable and potentially safer option. This reduces plastic waste and allows for greater control over the water you consume.
Choosing the Right Water Filter: Not All Filters Are Created Equal
Whether your water issue is a minor nuisance like a bad smell or taste, or a serious health concern like bacteria, viruses, or long-term contaminants such as PFAS and lead, using a filter can effectively address the problem. However, selecting the appropriate filter can be challenging due to misleading marketing claims and varying certification standards.
It's crucial to understand that only filters certified by reputable third-party organizations like NSF, WQA, CSA, or IAPMO guarantee the removal of specific contaminants. Claims like "tested to" or "meets" certain standards are not equivalent to full certification, which involves rigorous and ongoing testing.
When choosing a filter, consider factors like the type of contaminants you need to remove, the filter's capacity, and maintenance requirements. There are various types of filters available, including whole-home systems, under-sink and countertop models, and water pitchers, each utilizing different filtration technologies.
Remember, selecting the right filter is essential for ensuring the safety and quality of your drinking water. Don't rely solely on marketing claims; prioritize filters that have been certified by trusted organizations and are appropriate for your specific needs.
When selecting a water filter, it's essential to understand the significance of certification. Products labeled as "Certified by" a reputable organization undergo rigorous, long-term testing to ensure they perform effectively over extended periods. In contrast, filters that are merely "tested to" certain standards might have only been subjected to short-term tests, possibly conducted by labs with questionable qualifications. Therefore, it's crucial to verify that any water filter you choose is certified by a trusted organization such as NSF International, the Water Quality Association (WQA), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), or the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).
Once you've confirmed the certification, the next step is to select a filter type that meets your specific needs and budget. There are several options available, each designed for different purposes. Whole-home filtering systems treat all the water as it enters your home, ensuring that every tap dispenses filtered water. Under-sink and countertop models are more targeted, filtering water at individual sinks or faucets, ideal for drinking and cooking purposes. Water pitchers with built-in filters offer a more portable and affordable option, perfect for personal use or small households.
Filters employ a variety of technologies to purify water. These include ion exchange units that remove minerals, reverse osmosis systems that filter out a wide range of contaminants, distillation units that kill bacteria by boiling the water, ultraviolet light systems that disinfect by neutralizing viruses and bacteria, and, most commonly, activated carbon blockers that absorb contaminants. Each technology has its strengths and is suited to different water quality issues, so it's important to choose the one that best addresses the specific contaminants present in your water supply.
By ensuring your water filter is properly certified and choosing the right type for your needs, you can significantly improve the quality and safety of your drinking water.
Maintenance is another key factor to consider when choosing a water filter, according to Yeggy. Filters have a finite capacity and can become saturated with contaminants over time, losing their effectiveness. Therefore, it's beneficial to select filters equipped with indicators that signal when it's time for a replacement.
If you opt for professional installation, inquire about the necessary maintenance tasks and associated costs. These expenses can accumulate quickly, so it's essential to factor them into your budget. Additionally, don't underestimate the importance of replacing filter cartridges in countertop pitchers as frequently as the manufacturer recommends. Neglecting this can compromise the filter's performance and leave you with water that's not adequately purified.
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