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General Cities with best and worst tap water
2009.12.12 13:21
 (Photo: Getty Images) How safe is the water that flows out of your tap? The answer very much depends on where you live. It's now easier than ever for consumers to find out what's in their tap water. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) today released the results of a three-year investigation of municipal water supplies across the U.S. The research and advocacy group looked at water quality tests performed by water utilities since 2004 and created an extensive database that contains info on the contaminants found in 48,000 communities in 45 states. EWG also rated 100 big city (population over 250,000) water utilities. Below are the top and bottom results.
Cities with the best water:
Cities with the worst water:
If you live in one of the few areas that weren't investigated, you can get an annual report of what's in your public drinking water. If your water comes from a well, then see the EPA's guidelines for those who use private wells. The results of the investigation raise some concerns about municipal water supplies in the U.S. EWG says 316 different contaminants were found in the nation's tap water. The group also points out that more than half of those contaminants aren't regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Establishing more effective source water protection programs and developing enforceable government standards for contaminants would go a long way toward improving the nation's water supply, according to the EWG. In the meantime, no one is suggesting that you go out and start drinking bottled water (although, of course, in emergency situations it can be necessary). Experts still agree that drinking tap is preferable to drinking bottled water. Bottled water is much more expensive than tap, it takes a huge toll on the planet, and it's not necessarily any safer than tap. "Bottled water is not regulated in the same way as tap water," says Olga Naidenko, a senior scientist at EWG. "With bottled water, consumers often do not know what they are getting, and 25 to 40 percent of bottled water on the market is simply tap poured into a bottle." Knowing what's in your water is the key. Once you know which contaminants are present, you can find the best filter to get rid of them |
Comment 4
-
이한중*65
2009.12.12 13:39
-
방준재*70
2009.12.12 21:46
When I went to Busan last summer everybody was drinking Bottled Water,
even they used bottled water for cooking because of contaminated tap water.
When I looked down Nak-dong-gang from above in the plane one the way
to Busan from Seoul, the color of the river was Not Blue But Copper Color.
No wonder they need to clean Four Rivers. What about China these days? -
이한중*65
2009.12.12 22:54
I'm horrified by the extent of the water contamination and
the sheer number of chemicals we all are exposed to.
We are all in it together, and I feel like we are being poisoned together
like in "the concentration camp."
We are all reminded by the remarks of the Indian Chief Seattle who already knew
what the civilization was doing to the God-given Earth, our Mother.
The air we are breathing is no different from the water we are drinking.
God has mercy on us ! -
황규정*65
2009.12.12 23:55
Thanks for the informations. Sure it horrify me too.
We tend to think too much our wellbeings only,but
we should broaden our minds more to open our eyes
for 'Saving the Earth'. Then eventually that would help
our wellbeings as well,I think.By the way, we drink filtered tap water all the time
at home and only time I drink bottle water,when I
play a round of golf.When we visited China last October they advised
us drinking the bottled water, Dr. Bang! KJ
EWG INVESTIGATION
Findings
About The Data
News Release
EWG Statement, 03/10/2008
Related News Clips
WHAT'S IN YOUR WATER?
Find Your Water Company
NATIONAL SUMMARY
Quality Varies Across the U.S.
CONTAMINANTS DATABASE
Find a Contaminant
Credits
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Tap Water Quality Report
National Summary
Data from 42 states
39,751 Water Systems
Serving 231 million People
An Environmental Working Group analysis of tap water tests from 1998 through 2003 for more than 39,000 communities nationwide shows that 260 pollutants were detected in the nation's drinking water.
Pollution Summary
(pesticides, fertilizer, factory farms)
Ammonia, Chlorate, Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Sulfate, Thallium (total), MBAS, Phosphorus, Endrin, Desethylatrazine, Desisopropylatrazine, Lindane, Methoxychlor, Toxaphene, Carbaryl, Methomyl, Baygon (Propoxur), Methiocarb, Acetochlor, Paraquat, Prometon (2,4-bis -6-(isopropylamino)), Dalapon, Diquat, Endothall, Glyphosate, Oxamyl (Vydate), Simazine, Picloram, Dinoseb, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Aldicarb sulfone, Metolachlor, Carbofuran, Aldicarb, Atrazine, Alachlor (Lasso), EPTC (Eptam), Butylate (Sutan), Cyanazine (Bladex), Trifluralin, Ethion, Heptachlor, 3-Hydroxycarbofuran, Heptachlor epoxide, Endosulfan I, Dieldrin, p,p'-DDT, Butachlor, Propachlor, Bromacil, Dacthal, Diuron, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4,5-T, Chloramben, Dichlorprop, Bromomethane, Isophorone, alpha-Lindane, beta-Lindane, Aldrin, 1,3-Dichloropropene, Dicamba, Iodomethane, Chloropicrin, Metribuzin, Bentazon (Basagran), Molinate (Ordram), Thiobencarb (Bolero), Foaming agents (surfactants), Phenols, 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), Ethylene dibromide (EDB), Chlordane, m-Dichlorobenzene, Ethylbenzene, Perchlorate, Total aldicarbs, Alpha Chlordane
(road runoff, lawn pesticides, human waste)
Ammonia, Arsenic (total), Cadmium (total), Copper, Hydrogen sulfide, Lead (total), Mercury (total inorganic), Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Antimony (total), Lithium, Molybdenum, Oil & Grease (total), Phosphorus, Lindane, Baygon (Propoxur), Paraquat, Glyphosate, Trifluralin, Isopropyl alcohol, Trichlorofluoromethane, Acetone, Naphthalene, MTBE, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Dimethylphthalate, Diethylphthalate, Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Di-n-butylphthalate, Butyl Benzylphthalate, Benzo[a]anthracene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Benzo[g,h,i]perylene, alpha-Lindane, beta-Lindane, tert-Butylbenzene, sec-Butylbenzene, Chloropicrin, Trichlorotrifluoroethane, Phenols, Xylenes (total), p-Xylene, Tetrachloroethylene, Benzene, Bromobenzene, m-Xylene, o-Xylene, n-Propylbenzene, Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE)
Aluminum, Ammonia, Bromide, Arsenic (total), Chlorate, Barium (total), Cadmium (total), Chromium (total), Cyanide, Hydrogen sulfide, Lead (total), Manganese, Mercury (total inorganic), Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Selenium (total), Silver (total), Strontium, Sulfate, Antimony (total), Beryllium (total), Chromium (hexavalent), Lithium, Molybdenum, Thallium (total), Vanadium, MBAS, Oil & Grease (total), Phosphorus, Carbon disulfide, Lindane, p-Isopropyltoluene, Di(2-Ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, 1,4-Dioxane, Endosulfan I, Butyl Acetate, Ethyl ether, Isopropyl alcohol, Chloromethane, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Bromomethane, Chloroethane, Trichlorofluoromethane, n-Nitrosodiphenylamine, Aniline, 1,2-Dibromoethylene, Acrylonitrile, Acetone, Isopropyl ether, Hexachlorobutadiene, Methyl ethyl ketone, Naphthalene, Methyl isobutyl ketone, MTBE, Nitrobenzene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Isophorone, Tetrahydrofuran, Fluorene, 2-Hexanone, 2,4-Dinitrotoluene, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Dimethylphthalate, Diethylphthalate, Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Di-n-butylphthalate, Butyl Benzylphthalate, Methyl methacrylate, Chrysene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Pentachlorophenol, n-Hexane, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Aroclor 1016, Aroclor 1221, Aroclor 1232, Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1248, Aroclor 1254, Aroclor 1260, 1,1-Dichloropropene, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, n-Butylbenzene, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, tert-Butylbenzene, sec-Butylbenzene, Bromochloromethane, Chloropicrin, 2-Nitropropane, Glyoxal, Trichlorotrifluoroethane, Foaming agents (surfactants), Phenols, Ethylene dibromide (EDB), Xylenes (total), Formaldehyde, p-Xylene, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), o-Chlorotoluene, p-Chlorotoluene, m-Dichlorobenzene, o-Dichlorobenzene, p-Dichlorobenzene, Vinyl chloride, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,1-Dichloroethane, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-Dichloropropane, Trichloroethylene, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane, Tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, Monochlorobenzene (Chlorobenzene), Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Bromobenzene, Isopropylbenzene, m-Xylene, Styrene, o-Xylene, n-Propylbenzene, m- & p- Xylene, Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Combined Uranium (mg/L), Uranium-234, Uranium-235, Uranium-238, Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Alpha particle activity (suspended), Gross beta particle activity (dissolved), Gross beta particle activity (suspended), Potassium-40 (total), Gross beta particle activity (mrem/yr), Gross beta particle & photon emitters (man-made), Tritium, Alpha particle activity, 25-Manganese-54, Strontium-90, Perchlorate, Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE), Dichlorofluoromethane, Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)
(pipes and fixtures, treatment chemicals and byproducts)
Chloramine, Chlorate, Chlorine dioxide, Chlorite, Bromate, Cadmium (total), Orthophosphate, Asbestos, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Chloromethane, Methyl ethyl ketone, 2-Hexanone, Fluoranthene, Benzo[a]anthracene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[g,h,i]perylene, Dibromomethane, Bromochloromethane, Monochloroacetic acid, Dichloroacetic acid, Trichloroacetic acid, Monobromoacetic acid, Dibromoacetic acid, Bromochloroacetic acid, Total haloacetic acids, Dichloroacetonitrile, 1,1-Dichloropropanone, Chloropicrin, Glyoxal, Chloroform, Bromoform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Formaldehyde, m-Dichlorobenzene, Dichloroiodomethane, Vinyl chloride, Bromodichloroacetic acid, Chlorodibromoacetic acid, Tribromoacetic acid
(naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development)
Aluminum, Ammonia, Bromide, Arsenic (total), Chromium (total), Copper, Hydrogen sulfide, Lead (total), Manganese, Mercury (total inorganic), Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Selenium (total), Silver (total), Sulfate, Chromium (hexavalent), Lithium, Phosphorus, Chloromethane, Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Radon, Combined Uranium (mg/L), Uranium-234, Uranium-235, Uranium-238, Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Alpha particle activity (suspended), Gross beta particle activity (dissolved), Gross beta particle activity (suspended), Potassium-40 (total), Gross beta particle activity (mrem/yr), Gross beta particle & photon emitters (man-made), Alpha particle activity, Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)
EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for these contaminants
Ammonia, Bromide, Chlorate, Hydrogen sulfide, Phosphate, Orthophosphate, Strontium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Vanadium, Oil & Grease (total), Phosphorus, Carbon disulfide, Desisopropylatrazine, Carbaryl, Methomyl, Baygon (Propoxur), Methiocarb, Acetochlor, Paraquat, Prometon (2,4-bis -6-(isopropylamino)), p-Isopropyltoluene, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Aldicarb sulfone, Metolachlor, Aldicarb, 1,4-Dioxane, EPTC (Eptam), Butylate (Sutan), Cyanazine (Bladex), Trifluralin, Ethion, 3-Hydroxycarbofuran, Endosulfan I, Dieldrin, p,p'-DDT, Butachlor, Propachlor, Butyl Acetate, Ethyl ether, Isopropyl alcohol, Bromacil, Dacthal, Diuron, 2,4-DB, 2,4,5-T, Chloramben, Dichlorprop, Chloromethane, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Bromomethane, Chloroethane, Trichlorofluoromethane, n-Nitrosodiphenylamine, Aniline, 1,2-Dibromoethylene, Acrylonitrile, Acetone, Isopropyl ether, Hexachlorobutadiene, Methyl ethyl ketone, Naphthalene, Methyl isobutyl ketone, MTBE, Nitrobenzene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Isophorone, Tetrahydrofuran, Fluorene, 2-Hexanone, 2,4-Dinitrotoluene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Dimethylphthalate, Diethylphthalate, Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Di-n-butylphthalate, Butyl Benzylphthalate, Methyl methacrylate, Chrysene, Benzo[a]anthracene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Benzo[g,h,i]perylene, alpha-Lindane, beta-Lindane, Aldrin, n-Hexane, Dibromomethane, 1,1-Dichloropropene, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 1,3-Dichloropropene, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, n-Butylbenzene, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, tert-Butylbenzene, sec-Butylbenzene, Bromochloromethane, Dicamba, Bromochloroacetic acid, Iodomethane, Dichloroacetonitrile, 1,1-Dichloropropanone, Chloropicrin, 2-Nitropropane, Glyoxal, Metribuzin, Bentazon (Basagran), Molinate (Ordram), Thiobencarb (Bolero), Trichlorotrifluoroethane, Phenols, Formaldehyde, o-Chlorotoluene, p-Chlorotoluene, m-Dichlorobenzene, Dichloroiodomethane, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, Bromobenzene, Isopropylbenzene, n-Propylbenzene, Radon, Potassium-40 (total), Tritium, 25-Manganese-54, Strontium-90, Perchlorate, Benzo[b]fluoranthene & Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Bromodichloroacetic acid, Chlorodibromoacetic acid, Tribromoacetic acid, Alpha Chlordane, Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE), Dichlorofluoromethane
NOTE: Health based limits included in this analysis include enforceable drinking water limits (called Maximum Contaminant Limits, or MCLs) as well as governmental, non-enforceable health guidelines, such as Maximum Contaminant Limit Goals (MCLGs), lifetime health advisory levels, one-day and ten-day advisory levels to protect children from non-cancer health endpoints, and other government-established health guidelines for tap water contaminants.
State Summary
Table: States with Biggest Pollution Concerns
* According to EPA, the actual number of individuals served is smaller, because many Americans drank water from, and are counted as users by, more than one public water system during the course of a year.
View Full Table
Health Effects Summary
Health effects or target organs of contaminants found: Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicity, Cancer, Developmental Toxicity, Endocrine Toxicity, Immunotoxicity, Kidney Toxicity, Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicity, Musculoskeletal Toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Reproductive Toxicity, Respiratory Toxicity, and Skin Sensitivity.
Click here for more detail.
Contaminants of Concern
(of 231,439,195)
(of 39,751)
of States
with Detections
(of 42)
See Note
See Note
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Regulated
Unregulated
Regulated
Regulated
NOTE: Health based limits included in this analysis include enforceable drinking water limits (called Maximum Contaminant Limits, or MCLs) as well as governmental, non-enforceable health guidelines, such as Maximum Contaminant Limit Goals (MCLGs), lifetime health advisory levels, one-day and ten-day advisory levels to protect children from non-cancer health endpoints, and other government-established health guidelines for tap water contaminants.