Is my tap water safe?

In the U.S., the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate public water supplies. The EPA sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for certain harmful substances, including lead, arsenic, and pesticides, and utilities are required to monitor these substances regularly. Utilities must report findings to consumers annually through Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), providing transparency on water quality.

While this system sounds reassuring, there are notable shortcomings. Many of the MCLs were established decades ago and have not been updated to reflect new scientific research on toxicity. Additionally, the list of regulated contaminants is shockingly small—fewer than 100 substances are monitored, despite the existence of tens of thousands of chemicals used in agriculture, industry, and manufacturing.

The Gaps in Water Safety

• Outdated Standards: Many regulatory limits are based on decades-old data. For example, the lead action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb), yet studies show no amount of lead exposure is truly safe—especially for children.
• Emerging Contaminants: Chemicals like PFAS ("forever chemicals"), pharmaceuticals, and microplastics are often found in water supplies, yet they remain largely unregulated. PFAS alone have been linked to cancer, immune dysfunction, and reproductive issues.
• Weak Enforcement: Even when utilities violate health standards, enforcement is often inconsistent. Millions of Americans receive water that doesn’t meet federal standards, but penalties are rare, and many consumers remain unaware of violations.
• Source Water Contamination: Agricultural runoff introduces nitrates and pesticides into water supplies, while industrial discharges release heavy metals and hazardous chemicals. Urban areas contribute stormwater runoff, which carries oil, debris, and other pollutants.
• Inequalities in Water Quality: Smaller, rural utilities often lack the resources to perform thorough testing, and aging infrastructure in many cities allows lead and other metals to leach into treated water.

What Could Be in Your Tap Water?

Even if your water meets current standards, unknown contaminants may still pose risks. These include:

• PFAS Chemicals: Resistant to degradation, they persist in water supplies and can cause cancer, thyroid problems, and more.
• Endocrine Disruptors: Hormonal chemicals from pesticides, plastics, and pharmaceuticals can interfere with the body’s endocrine system, causing developmental and reproductive issues.
• Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles are present in most water supplies, though their long-term health effects are still unknown.
• Arsenic: Naturally occurring in groundwater, arsenic exposure is linked to cancer and cardiovascular problems.
• Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs): Chlorine used to disinfect water can react with organic materials to form DBPs, which are associated with cancer and reproductive risks.
• Pathogens: Bacteria, viruses, and protozoa like Cryptosporidium can cause severe gastrointestinal illness if water treatment is inadequate.

Why It Matters

We often take the water flowing from our taps for granted, assuming it’s safe to drink, bathe in, and cook with. While water utilities follow federal regulations to deliver safe water, these regulations don’t tell the whole story. Gaps in oversight, aging infrastructure, and emerging contaminants mean your tap water may contain harmful substances, many of which you don’t even know about. 

The risks of contaminants in tap water vary from acute illnesses, like gastrointestinal infections, to chronic conditions such as cancer, neurological damage, and hormonal disruptions. Vulnerable populations—including infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems—face the greatest risks. Compounding these issues is the lack of research on how multiple contaminants interact. Even if individual levels are considered "safe," their combined effects could pose unknown health risks.

While public utilities strive to provide safe water, the gaps in regulation and enforcement make supplemental filtration systems a smart investment. A simple addition, like a filtered showerhead, can remove chlorine, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals directly at the point of use, offering an extra layer of protection for you and your family.