Hundreds of Toxic Chemicals in Tap Water Across the U.S. According to Updated Database

The newest update to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) tap water database identifies hundreds of toxic chemicals in tap water across the country.

Are you surprised?

Toxic chemicals in tap water isn’t a new thing. There have been toxic chemicals in tap water for as long as there has been testing for it.

What is Tap Water?

Tap water, is what we refer to as water coming from the home’s tap. Often associated with a public water system in most cases. As opposed to bottled water or water purchased from some other beverage manufacturer.

Water should be clear, pure, and without harmful contaminants.

In a perfect world, that is. It isn’t too much to ask for.

But tap water coming from public water systems are often treated, filtered, and dosed with additives like fluoride and other agents. All of this treatment and filtering should render tap water safe to consume.

At least it should be.

Unfortunately, the recently updated EWG Tap Water Database shows otherwise.

Updated EWG Database Identifies Toxic Chemicals in Tap Water

The EWG is a non-profit advocacy organization supporting legislation and actions to keep our environment and our bodies safe from harmful contaminants and pollutants. They fund research on topics impacting the environment and associated impact on human health.

One of these funded projects is a tap water database.

The newest update to the tap water database has been expanded to include new concerns, like PFAS or forever chemicals, and updated guidance on certain maximum levels of toxic chemicals in tap water that are more conservative than national standards.

According to this database, millions of Americans are drinking water tainted with harmful chemical, heavy metals, and even radioactive substances.

I know! I was surprised too!

The public reports include both the “legal limit” established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the more conservative EWG Health Guideline for each of the toxic chemicals in tap water for the database.

According to EWG, the legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years. The organization’s stance is that “getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.”

As such, they have determined their own health guidelines for each tested chemical.

Search Your Zip Code

The EWG Tap Water Database is searchable by zip code. You simply input your local zip code and two tabs will be generated. One tab for the detected toxic chemicals over the EWG Health Guidelines. Another for those that are detected, but below preferred EWG levels.

Though I am fortunate enough to not participate in a public water municipality (I have well water on my property), it was eye opening to see what some of my friends and area neighbors are potentially consuming if they do not use the recommended filtering systems.

Some of the big ones in my area were Arsenic at 2.01 ppb (503x EWG Health Guidelines) and Chloroform at 10.3 ppb (26x EWG Guidelines). Along with the surprising results of Uranium (5.1x the EWG Health Guidelines) and Radium (2.5x EWG Health Guidelines).

In all, 51 total contaminants were detected in my municipality. Of which, 13 exceeded EWG’s Health Guidelines.

Scary!

Curious about what is in your water? Click here and search your own zip code.

But you may want to be seated when you read it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

What Do These Toxic Chemicals in Tap Water Do?

Most of the detected toxic chemicals in tap water on the database have been tagged as carcinogens. Meaning, they are known to contribute to the formation of cancer.

Something that is supposed to hydrate and nourish your body could be slowly killing it from the inside out.

Some of the chemicals can impact your liver, kidneys, and other organ systems as well. Some impact child development (like lead), and others have made pop culture. For example, hexavalent chromium (or chromium-6), a toxic chemical that was made infamous by the Erin Brockovich case in Hinkley, California. A case so dramatic that it was made into a motion picture. Sadly, that chemical is still in the drinking water of over 250 million Americans.

Believe it or not, there is still no federal limit for chromium-6! Even more of a reason to consider the limits that are more conservative than federal standards.

EPA Has Dropped the Ball with Drinking Water Standards

EWG brings to light the serous cause for concern with drinking water standards.

Aside from the 2024 move to introduce maximum contaminant limits for six harmful PFAS, U.S. drinking water standards have not been visited in more than 20 years.

How many new chemicals have been developed for pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other uses. How many of them have made their way into drinking water. And how much of those toxic chemicals can have harmful effects on the human body?

“For too long, outdated federal standards have failed to reflect the latest science on drinking water, leaving millions exposed to harmful chemicals,” said Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at EWG. “While the new PFAS standards represent a historic step forward, they are only a fraction of what is needed to protect public health.”

Were You Surprised at What Was in Your Drinking Water?

If you have peeked at the EWG Tap Water Database for your municipality’s water content, how surprised were you at the results?

How many toxic chemicals were found in your tap water? Any radioactive ones like in mine? It makes me want to get my well water tested.

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By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)