Hazardous Chemicals in Drinking Water is Widespread

For millions of Americans, turning on the tap is an everyday action that requires little thought. But a new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) raises serious concerns about what’s flowing from those taps. The findings reveal that harmful contaminants—including “forever chemicals,” heavy metals, and radioactive substances—are present in water systems across the country, often at levels exceeding what scientists consider safe.

Widespread Contamination

The EWG’s Tap Water Database, updated with safety data from 2021 to 2023, analyzed nearly 50,000 water systems in every state except New Hampshire, which did not submit data. The findings were alarming:

324 contaminants were identified in drinking water.
Almost every system contained detectable pollutants.
Many chemicals had no federal safety limits or were underregulated.

“This is a wake-up call,” said Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at EWG.

To help the public understand what’s in their water, the group has made its database searchable by zip code.

Sydney Evans, an EWG senior science analyst, explains that while some contaminants have likely existed in water supplies for years, improved testing methods are now detecting them at lower levels. Others, however, are newer pollutants.

“I would argue that a lot of it has been the way that chemicals and industries are regulated in this country—allowing for a huge number of chemicals to be approved without a whole lot of underlying research to prove that they’re safe,” Evans says.

Who Regulates Drinking Water?

The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to monitor and regulate contaminants. The agency sets legal limits and requires water utilities to comply through testing, filtration, or changing water sources.

But according to Melanie Benesh, EWG’s vice president of government affairs, federal regulations are outdated. “There are a lot of unregulated contaminants that probably should be regulated, and the process for adding new ones is very slow,” she says.

Some states have stepped up to fill the gap. Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin have imposed tighter limits on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water.

The EPA took historic action in April 2024, declaring no level of PFAS is safe in drinking water. But the policy is now in legal limbo. A U.S. Court of Appeals has delayed lawsuits from both water utilities and chemical companies, giving the current administration time to review the limits. The concern is that these rules could be weakened.

Meanwhile, California has introduced legislation to lock in those PFAS limits at the state level.

The Most Common Contaminants

EWG identified several groups of chemicals that frequently show up in tap water.

Disinfection Byproducts

Water utilities use chlorine and other disinfectants to eliminate bacteria and viruses. But these chemicals can react with organic matter in the water, creating byproducts that have been linked to bladder cancer and other health issues.

“There’s a balancing act that needs to be done there,” Evans says.

Hexavalent Chromium (Chromium-6)

This industrial contaminant gained national attention due to the Erin Brockovich case. Found in drinking water through industrial pollution and natural erosion, it has been linked to stomach cancer, liver damage, and reproductive issues. The EPA has yet to establish a national safety standard for chromium-6.

Nitrate

Commonly found in fertilizer, animal waste, and landfills, nitrate contaminates drinking water through agricultural runoff.

“It has been known to be particularly harmful to babies in the short term,” Evans says. Long-term exposure has been linked to colorectal and other cancers.

PFAS (Forever Chemicals)

PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in products such as nonstick cookware, food packaging, clothing, and firefighting foam. These substances do not break down easily and accumulate in water, soil, and the human body.

Research has linked low levels of PFAS to immune suppression, hormonal disruption, liver damage, cancer, and reduced vaccine effectiveness.

“We have a gap between what is legally allowed in drinking water and what the research shows is dangerous because [legal limits] are outdated,” Evans says.

Perchlorate

Perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel, is particularly concerning because it interferes with the thyroid’s ability to absorb iodide, which is essential for metabolism and brain development. Infants and pregnant women are at the highest risk.

What Can Consumers Do?

1. Use a Home Water Filter

Filtering water at home can be an effective way to remove contaminants, but Evans cautions that not all filters are equally effective. “You have to have the right filter for the job,” she says. If in Virginia and North Carolina, East Coast Water Quality can inspect your water sources and provide whole home water conditioners or water softeners to fit your needs that remove contaminates and chlorine while our reverse osmosis eliminates viruses, bacteria, 99% of dissolved solids, contaminants, and particles from water, and small contaminates with an output of 99.9% pure water. Try a glass with a dash of celtic salt to get your minerals up, and for a great taste. While activated carbon filters are the most accessible option, reverse osmosis systems offer the most protection.

2. Avoid Bottled Water

Despite common belief, bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water. “The main issue that we have with bottled water is that there’s really no guarantee that it’s any better than your tap water,” Evans says. Bottled water companies operate under less strict regulations than public water utilities, and plastic bottles can introduce microplastics and other chemicals into the water.

3. Advocate for Stronger Water Regulations

Consumers can push for better protections by contacting their local and federal representatives.

“People can call their legislators and let them know they believe in stronger limits—as well as preserving the in-limbo PFAS limits enacted by the EPA last year,” Benesh says.

Final Thoughts

Americans have long taken access to clean water for granted. But as new research uncovers dangerous levels of contamination, the responsibility is shifting to consumers. Filtering tap water, staying informed, and advocating for stronger regulations will be key to ensuring long-term safety.