Getting Started
Is My Tap Water Safe?
Over 300 million Americans get their drinking water from public water systems regulated by the EPA. IsWaterSafe tracks 190 water systems. Here is how to check yours and what to do if there are problems.
Step 1: Find Your Water System
Search your zip code on IsWaterSafe to find the water system that serves your address. Each system has a Water Safety Score (A-F) based on its violation history, contaminant detections, and enforcement record.
If you're on a private well, your water is not tracked in the EPA database. You'll need to get it tested independently.
Step 2: Check the Safety Record
Look at your system's violation history. The most important violations are health-based violations — these indicate the water has exceeded a maximum contaminant level or failed a required treatment standard.
Key things to check:
- Health-based violations: Has the system exceeded any contaminant limits?
- Contaminant detections: What was detected, even if below the MCL?
- Enforcement actions: Has the EPA or state taken action against the system?
- Source type: Groundwater vs. surface water affects which contaminants are most likely
Step 3: Read Your Consumer Confidence Report
Every public water system must publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) listing every contaminant tested and detected. Contact your water utility or check their website for the most recent CCR. It shows:
- Every regulated contaminant tested for
- The highest level detected and the legal limit (MCL)
- The likely source of any detected contaminants
- Any violations during the reporting period
Step 4: Get Independent Testing (If Concerned)
If your water system has violations, or if you want to check for contaminants not routinely tested (like PFAS), consider independent water testing. Options:
- Basic test ($20-50): Bacteria, nitrate, pH, lead — available from state-certified labs
- Comprehensive test ($100-200): Adds metals, pesticides, volatile organic compounds
- PFAS test ($200-400): Tests for specific PFAS compounds using EPA Method 533 or 537.1
Find a certified testing lab through your state's drinking water program or the EPA's Safe Drinking Water website.
Step 5: Take Action If Needed
If your water has problems, your options depend on the contaminant:
- Lead: Run cold water for 30 seconds before using (flushing the pipe), use a certified lead-removal filter, or request lead service line replacement
- PFAS: Install a reverse osmosis system or NSF-certified activated carbon filter
- Bacteria (boil advisory): Boil water for 1 minute before drinking until the advisory is lifted
- Nitrate: Use reverse osmosis (standard carbon filters don't remove nitrate)
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
For most Americans on public water systems, yes — tap water is regulated by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act and routinely tested for over 90 contaminants. However, violations do occur: thousands of water systems have health-based violations in any given year. Use IsWaterSafe to check your specific water system's record.
Search your zip code on IsWaterSafe to see your water system's safety record, violations, and contaminant detections. You can also request your system's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which lists every contaminant tested and detected. For the most comprehensive picture, get an independent water test from a certified laboratory ($20-300 depending on what you test for).
It depends on what's in your water. If your system has a clean record and no violations, a basic carbon filter for taste improvement is sufficient. If your system has PFAS, lead, or other contaminant concerns, you may want a reverse osmosis system or specialized filter. Don't buy an expensive filter until you know what contaminants (if any) are actually in your water.