Tapped Out: America’s Drinking Water and the Health Risks Hidden Behind Legal Limits

Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right, yet millions of Americans unknowingly consume water tainted with hazardous contaminants.

EWG’s latest update to the national Tap Water Database — the most comprehensive resource of its kind — reveals that drinking water across the U.S. contains hundreds of chemicals, heavy metals and radioactive substances. They’re often at levels exceeding what scientists consider safe, even if the water quality meets outdated federal standards.

For over 30 years, EWG has led the charge in advocating for stricter regulation of chemicals and empowering consumers with vital information to reduce exposure to hazardous contaminants in water. But decades later, U.S. drinking water still often fails to meet health-based guidelines and can still pose risks, despite complying with legal limits.

And hard-won, vital drinking water protections are at risk, including landmark limits on the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in drinking water finalized last year. The state of American drinking water continues to be perilous, and the need for stricter regulation remains.