Health-Based Violations
Water systems with health-based violations, meaning contaminant levels exceeded EPA safety limits. These are the most serious type of violation.
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
Shreveport Water System
Shreveport, Louisiana
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission
Springfield, Massachusetts
Newark Water Department
Newark, New Jersey
Sioux City Water Supply
Sioux City, Iowa
Liberty Utilities New York - Lynbrook
Merrick, New York
Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Las Cruces Municipal Water System
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Mobile, Bd. Of W&s Comm. Of the City Of
Mobile, Alabama
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Bjw&sa (0720003)
Okatie, South Carolina
City of Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
Columbus Public Water System
Columbus, Ohio
Columbia City of (sc4010001)
Columbia, South Carolina
Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Gilbert, Town Of
Gilbert, Arizona
Lowell Regional Water Utility
Lowell, Massachusetts
Papillion, City Of
Papillion, Nebraska
Kearney, City Of
Kearney, Nebraska
Phoenix City Of
Phoenix, Arizona
Aqua Pa Main System
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Salt Lake City Water System
Salt Lake City, Utah
New Orleans Carrollton Water Works
New Orleans, Louisiana
Des Moines Water Works
Des Moines, Iowa
Clermont Public Water System
Batavia, Ohio
Roswell Municipal Water System
Roswell, New Mexico
Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack
Haworth, New Jersey
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra)
Boston, Massachusetts
Portland Water Bureau
Portland, Oregon
Kansas City Pws
Kansas City, Missouri
Mcwa
Rochester, New York
Cocoa, City Of
Cocoa, Florida
Glen Burnie-Broadneck
Millersville, Maryland
Madison Water Utility
Madison, Wisconsin
Jersey City Mua
Hoboken, New Jersey
Chandler City Of
Chandler, Arizona
Rochester City
Rochester, New York
Topeka, City Of
Topeka, Kansas
Norman Utilities Authority
Norman, Oklahoma
Santa Fe Water System (city Of)
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Fort Smith Water Utilities
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Cicero
Cicero, Illinois
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.
Source: EPA Ground Water and Drinking Water, 2026.