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WaterSafety

Health-Based Violations

Water systems with health-based violations, meaning contaminant levels exceeded EPA safety limits. These are the most serious type of violation.

43
Systems
15,932,080
People Affected
324
Total Violations
50/100
Avg Score

About Health-Based Violations

Health-based violations are the most serious type of drinking water violation. They mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). Common health-based violations involve lead, disinfection byproducts, nitrate, and coliform bacteria. If your system appears below, check with your utility about current water quality and consider a certified water filter.

Systems With Health-Based Violations (43)

City of Jackson

Jackson, Mississippi

189,673 people100 violations
F

Shreveport Water System

Shreveport, Louisiana

192,378 people76 violations
F

Springfield Water and Sewer Commission

Springfield, Massachusetts

167,954 people27 violations
F

Newark Water Department

Newark, New Jersey

294,274 people22 violations
F

Sioux City Water Supply

Sioux City, Iowa

85,791 people10 violations
F

Liberty Utilities New York - Lynbrook

Merrick, New York

220,000 people6 violations
F

Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

166,524 people6 violations
F

Las Cruces Municipal Water System

Las Cruces, New Mexico

98,175 people6 violations
F

Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia

1,089,893 people5 violations
F

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo, Michigan

192,992 people4 violations
F

Mobile, Bd. Of W&s Comm. Of the City Of

Mobile, Alabama

279,000 people4 violations
F

Bjw&sa (0720003)

Okatie, South Carolina

145,634 people4 violations
F

Columbus Public Water System

Columbus, Ohio

1,305,946 people3 violations
F

Gilbert, Town Of

Gilbert, Arizona

247,600 people3 violations
F

Lowell Regional Water Utility

Lowell, Massachusetts

115,000 people3 violations
F

Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant

Fort Wayne, Indiana

269,994 people3 violations
F

Columbia City of (sc4010001)

Columbia, South Carolina

319,500 people3 violations
F

Papillion, City Of

Papillion, Nebraska

35,000 people3 violations
F

Kearney, City Of

Kearney, Nebraska

34,000 people3 violations
F

City of Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland

1,600,000 people3 violations
F

Aqua Pa Main System

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

822,600 people2 violations
F

Clermont Public Water System

Batavia, Ohio

133,059 people2 violations
F

Phoenix City Of

Phoenix, Arizona

1,695,000 people2 violations
D

New Orleans Carrollton Water Works

New Orleans, Louisiana

334,903 people2 violations
F

Roswell Municipal Water System

Roswell, New Mexico

54,025 people2 violations
F

Des Moines Water Works

Des Moines, Iowa

246,055 people2 violations
D

Salt Lake City Water System

Salt Lake City, Utah

381,174 people2 violations
F

Cocoa, City Of

Cocoa, Florida

294,039 people1 violation
C

Mcwa

Rochester, New York

496,753 people1 violation
B

Rochester City

Rochester, New York

214,000 people1 violation
B

Cicero

Cicero, Illinois

83,000 people1 violation
C

Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack

Haworth, New Jersey

792,713 people1 violation
C

Jersey City Mua

Hoboken, New Jersey

262,000 people1 violation
C

Chandler City Of

Chandler, Arizona

247,328 people1 violation
D

Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra)

Boston, Massachusetts

675,647 people1 violation
B

Kansas City Pws

Kansas City, Missouri

513,800 people1 violation
C

Madison Water Utility

Madison, Wisconsin

272,000 people1 violation
B

Portland Water Bureau

Portland, Oregon

666,200 people1 violation
C

Norman Utilities Authority

Norman, Oklahoma

104,868 people1 violation
C

Santa Fe Water System (city Of)

Santa Fe, New Mexico

90,810 people1 violation
D

Topeka, City Of

Topeka, Kansas

125,963 people1 violation
D

Fort Smith Water Utilities

Fort Smith, Arkansas

86,209 people1 violation
C

Glen Burnie-Broadneck

Millersville, Maryland

290,606 people1 violation
D

Frequently Asked Questions

A health-based violation means a contaminant in the drinking water exceeded the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). These are the most serious violations because they indicate actual contamination above safe limits. Health effects can include cancer risk, organ damage, and developmental issues depending on the contaminant.

43 water systems currently have health-based violations, affecting 15,932,080 people. These systems have accumulated 324 total violations.

If your water system has health-based violations, consider using a certified water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 for health contaminants), requesting your annual Consumer Confidence Report from your water utility, and contacting your state drinking water program for current violation status.