"Recent research shows that nearly 97 million Americans have been exposed to unregulated contaminants in their drinking water, with Hispanic and Black residents disproportionately affected. Additionally, 172 million people in communities across the U.S. have drinking water that has tested positive for PFAS ("forever chemicals"). Despite these concerning numbers, many Americans still have safe tap water. Before spending money, find out your community's water is."
"Lead: A Persistent Threat The lead pipe problem is massive. Home plumbing was manufactured using lead well into the 1980s. You can have your home's water tested to find out if any lead is leaching into it. Contact your utility to determine the location of your supply pipes, but inspect your home for using the EPA's guide . Federal Lead Pipe Rule: Current Status I n October 2024, the Biden-Harris administration issued final regulations that required the replacement of all lead service lines within 10 years ."
Nearly 100 million Americans have been exposed to unregulated drinking-water contaminants, with Hispanic and Black communities disproportionately affected. About 172 million people live in areas where drinking water has tested positive for PFAS. Bottled water is not a comprehensive solution; priority should be cleaning public water supplies. Infrastructure upgrades and federal protections will take time and face political uncertainty in late 2025. Households should determine community water quality and test home water to identify contaminants. Some issues need point-of-use treatment while others require point-of-entry solutions. Lead plumbing remains widespread; test for lead, consult utilities and EPA guidance, and pursue lead service-line replacement.
Read at Earth911
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