Investigation Finds Toxic Chemicals in Water Across the US

Persistent chemicals have entered our water supplies and current regulations and water systems are inadequate to remove them

Some chemical pollutants endure long after they have passed through our water treatment systems and made their way back into the environment.Aditya Chinchure/Unsplash

Drinking water safety isn’t often top of mind unless it has made the news, such as the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan. However, the level of contamination in U.S. tap water is very concerning, whether your water supply is from the municipal water system or a well. Just because it looks clear and seems to taste normal doesn’t mean it’s safe or pure.

Consumer Reports, in cooperation with The Guardian, conducted a recent survey analysis of water supplies across the United States and found what other studies have also found—tap water is brimming with toxic chemicals. Additional test results from the 2017 Environmental Working Group (EWG) analysis of 50,000 water utilities in 50 states also found 267 different contaminants out of 500 they tested for.