Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint of the original publication on August 8, 2017.
Many individuals consume tap water without hesitation, assuming it to be safe. However, just because it appears clear and tastes normal does not guarantee purity. Research conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed the presence of hundreds of contaminants in the average U.S. faucet, many of which exceed levels that may pose health risks but fall below the threshold for legal action.
Despite the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 to safeguard Americans’ tap water, no new chemicals have been added to the list of regulated substances in drinking water since 1996. Nneka Leiba, director of EWG’s Healthy Living Science Program, expressed concern to USA Today, stating, “The list of regulated chemicals has not kept up with our use of chemicals as a country… Legal does not equate to safe when it comes to drinking water… What we are worried about is long-term exposure, consuming eight glasses a day, over a lifetime.”
EWG’s analysis of data from U.S. agencies and the EPA from 2010 to 2015 revealed 267 contaminants in drinking water, including those linked to cancer, brain and nervous system damage, developmental harm in children, fertility issues, and hormonal disruption.
The presence of various chemicals in tap water is alarming, with lead detected in nearly 19,000 public water systems at levels that could endanger formula-fed babies. Chromium-6, an unregulated industrial chemical found in drinking water across all 50 states, poses cancer risks. Similarly, the industrial solvent 1,4-dioxane and nitrates from agricultural sources were found at levels exceeding safety thresholds.
Industrial agriculture contributes significantly to water pollution through nitrate contamination, which requires costly mitigation measures by water utilities. Phosphorus and nitrogen runoff from farms not only pollute drinking water but also fuel algae growth, leading to oxygen depletion in marine environments and the formation of toxic disinfection byproducts in drinking water.
To protect drinking water, individuals can install water filters, while broader solutions involve changing farming practices to reduce pollution. Voluntary programs like Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy aim to address fertilizer runoff, but more comprehensive measures may be necessary.
The presence of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, lead, and other contaminants in drinking water underscores the need for improved water treatment and regulation. The extent of water contamination remains uncertain, as the Safe Drinking Water Act regulates only a fraction of the chemicals used in the U.S.
To ascertain the quality of tap water, individuals can access EWG’s Tap Water Database or review their local water quality reports. Awareness of water contaminants is essential to safeguarding public health and ensuring access to clean, safe drinking water.