Drinking Water Safety

 According to the EPA, the U.S. boasts one of the world's safest and most reliable drinking water supplies. Enacted in 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) mandates the EPA to set and enforce standards for public drinking water systems. With around 150,000 public water systems serving MOST Americans, some communities, like Flint, Michigan, rely on local water systems. 

The EPA establishes legal limits for over 90 contaminants in drinking water to safeguard human health. It also mandates water systems to adhere to testing schedules and methods. Under the SDWA, states can enforce their drinking water standards if they meet the EPA's minimum national threshold. 

On March 28, 2023, the EPA announced plans to enhance Consumer Confidence by issuing annual drinking water reports. These reports, also known as "Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports," provide updated health information to residents and businesses across the U.S. They summarize data about your local drinking water from the previous year. 

• Improve readability, clarity and water report comprehension strategies
• Enhance risk communication
• Encourage modern electronic delivery options
• Clarify information regarding lead levels and efforts to reduce lead
• Customer translations for people with limited english proficiency
• Require bi-annual reports for systems that serve 10,000 or more people
• Require states to submit monitoring compliance data to the EPA

Every year by July 1st, your local water supplier should provide a new Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), also known as the "Annual Drinking Water Report." To find your local CCR, please use the EPA link below, which allows searching by state, city, and water system name.