Is My Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Quick Summary: Tap water throughout the country meets legal standards but still contains contaminants like arsenic, uranium, and disinfection byproducts that exceed health-based guidelines. These substances are linked to serious health concerns such as cancer, kidney damage, and developmental issues. While the country continues to improve the quality of tap water and respond to threats like natural disasters, aging infrastructure, and pollution, residents are encouraged to use filtration systems for added protection.
Tap water in the United States comes from a variety of sources, such as rivers, groundwater aquifers, and surface water reservoirs. Despite rigorous treatment processes to protect public health, many of these sources can introduce contaminants into the water supply, including:
1. HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids)
HAA5 are byproducts of water disinfection, formed when disinfectants like chlorine react with natural organic matter.
- Health Effects: Long-term exposure to high levels of HAA5 can increase cancer risk and may affect the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
- Prevalence: According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), over 161 million Americans have drinking water with detectable levels of HAA5.
- Mitigation: Granular activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can help reduce these compounds.
2. TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes)
TTHMs are another set of disinfection byproducts that form during water treatment.
- Health Effects: Elevated TTHM levels are linked to cancer risk and issues with the liver, kidneys, or nervous system.
- Prevalence: Found in drinking water systems that serve over 200 million Americans, often above EWG health guidelines.
- Mitigation: Activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis systems are effective options.
3. Chlorine
A common disinfectant used nationwide.
- Health Effects: Can cause skin and eye irritation, and produce harmful byproducts like HAA5 and TTHM.
- Mitigation: Filters certified to remove chlorine—such as activated carbon—can help.
4. Arsenic
A naturally occurring element and a byproduct of industrial or agricultural runoff.
- Health Effects: Long-term exposure may lead to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and developmental issues.
- Prevalence: Over 70 million Americans may have water with levels exceeding EWG’s health guidelines.
- Mitigation: Reverse osmosis, distillation, or specialty filters can remove arsenic.
5. Uranium
Occurs naturally in some U.S. groundwater sources.
- Health Effects: Prolonged exposure can lead to kidney damage and cancer.
- Mitigation: Reverse osmosis and ion exchange filters are effective.
6. Hard Water
High in calcium and magnesium, common in many regions of the U.S.
- Health Effects: Not harmful, but may cause skin/hair dryness and scaling in appliances.
- Mitigation: Water softeners using sodium or potassium exchange can reduce hardness.
For a more in-depth look at the levels of these contaminants in your area, check your utility’s EWG Tap Water Database.
Ensuring Safe Tap Water: A Guide for U.S. Households
Living in any urban, suburban, or rural area in the U.S. brings unique challenges with water quality standards. Events such as wildfires, floods, or outdated infrastructure can all impact your access to clean, safe drinking water.
How Can I Make My Water Safer to Drink?
- Water Filtration Systems: Culligan offers under-sink, whole-home, and countertop systems that remove impurities to provide safe water and improve taste.
- Reverse Osmosis Systems: Culligan’s multi-stage RO systems eliminate contaminants like arsenic, lead, bacteria, and PFAS.
- Water Softeners: Indio’s hard water can be treated with Culligan softeners, helping extend the life of plumbing and appliances.
- Bottle-Free Water Coolers: These coolers connect to your tap and purify on demand—great for home or office.
Natural Disasters and Water Quality Across the U.S.
Natural disasters—such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes—can have a significant impact on drinking water quality across the United States. These events can damage infrastructure like reservoirs and pump stations, potentially leading to contamination issues in public water systems and.
For example, previous wildfires may result in ash and fire-related contaminants entering water supplies, while earthquakes can rupture underground pipelines, introducing impurities into drinking water systems.
In areas impacted by fires or other disasters, authorities may issue “boil water” or “do not drink” notices until thorough assessments confirm water safety. These scenarios highlight the vulnerability of U.S. water systems to natural disasters and the public health risks that can arise when water infrastructure is compromised.
Wildfires and Drinking Water: A Growing Concern
In wildfire-prone states—such as those in the West and Southwest—extreme heat and smoke from fires can affect soil and rock formations near watersheds. As a result, sediment, ash, and organic compounds are washed into reservoirs during rains, degrading drinking water quality.
Previous wildfires may also cause loss of pressure in pipes or damage water treatment infrastructure. When firefighters draw large volumes of water from hydrants, the sudden pressure loss can allow fire-related contaminants to be sucked into pipelines through cracks or leaks.
To address these risks, many water utilities invest in advanced monitoring systems to detect drinking water qualitychanges during and after wildfires. Collaboration between water departments and emergency services ensures coordinated responses—such as deploying mobile water stations or distributing bottled water during emergencies.
Maintaining healthy landscapes around water sources is also key. Reforestation and erosion control projects help reduce sediment runoff and preserve both water quality and ecological balance. Public awareness is another critical component of wildfire preparedness, such as not having camp fires during droughts. Educational campaigns encourage water conservation during fire season and offer guidance on staying safe during emergency events. Communities with proactive education and infrastructure planning are better equipped to maintain clean water access in times of crisis.
Earthquakes and Water Safety
In earthquake-prone regions, seismic activity can significantly disrupt water infrastructure and impact drinking water quality. The risks include:
- Infrastructure Damage: Earthquakes can damage underground pipelines, treatment plants, and storage tanks, allowing toxic chemicals and other pollutants to enter the water system.
- Service Disruptions: Earthquakes may interrupt treatment operations or allow untreated water to flow into public systems.
- Groundwater Contamination: Seismic shifts can introduce pollutants into groundwater sources—especially near landfills or industrial waste sites.
- Sediment Disturbance: Landslides triggered by earthquakes may wash sediment into reservoirs, affecting water clarity and treatment efficiency.
- Industrial Hazards: Earthquakes near industrial zones can cause chemical leaks that contaminate surface or groundwater.
- Reservoir and Dam Safety: Structural failures in dams or reservoirs could release contaminated water into downstream supplies.
These risks emphasize the need for ongoing investment in earthquake-resistant infrastructure, backup water sources, and emergency response plans to ensure safe drinking water quality following seismic events.
Aging Infrastructure: A Nationwide Challenge
Aging water infrastructure poses a serious threat to drinking water quality in many parts of the U.S. Common issues include:
- Lead Contamination: Older pipes—especially those installed before the 1986 lead ban—may leach lead into drinking water, posing serious health risks, particularly to children and pregnant individuals.
- Corrosion: Deteriorating pipes can rust and corrode, releasing metals or contaminants and increasing the likelihood of leaks or bursts.
- Emerging Contaminants: Outdated materials and treatment plants may be ineffective at filtering modern threats like PFAS (“forever chemicals”).
- Maintenance Backlogs: Deferred maintenance can lead to contamination issues, service interruptions, and difficulty meeting health standards.
- Outdated Treatment Facilities: Older systems may not be designed to handle today’s pollutants, leaving some contaminants untreated.
Modernizing America’s water systems is crucial for public health and requires robust investment, policy support, and adoption of advanced water treatment technologies.
Pollution and Runoff: Impacting Water Quality Nationwide
Across the country, pollution and runoff from urban development, agriculture, and industry contribute significantly to declining drinking water quality:
Urban Runoff
- Impermeable Surfaces: Streets, sidewalks, and parking lots prevent water from soaking into the ground, causing rain to collect oil, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals and wash them into storm drains.
- Stormwater Systems: These systems often discharge directly into rivers or reservoirs without treatment, allowing contamination issues to enter public water supplies.
- Pollutant Accumulation: Contaminants like vehicle fluids, fertilizers, pesticides, and construction debris accumulate in runoff, posing challenges for water treatment facilities.
Agricultural and Industrial Runoff
- Farms and Fields: Rain can wash fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste into waterways, fueling toxic algae blooms and nutrient overload.
- Industrial Sites: Improperly managed sites may leak toxic chemicals and heavy metals, with dangerous consequences for both humans and ecosystems.
Environmental and Health Impacts
- Ecosystem Harm: Runoff pollution can disrupt aquatic food chains, kill fish, and destroy habitats.
- Human Health Risks: Contaminants in drinking water—including nitrates, PFAS, and heavy metals—can have long-term health effects and compromise recreational water safety.
Solutions
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Cities across the U.S. are investing in better stormwater capture and treatment systems to provide clean drinking water to the population.
- Green Infrastructure: Solutions like rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavements help filter runoff and restore groundwater.
- Community Engagement: Education, regulations, and local action are key to reducing pollution at the source and protecting clean water for all.
By staying informed and proactive, the United States population can take control of their water quality to ensure that they have safe drinking water.
