Is My Water Safe to Drink?

Enter your ZIP code for instant drinking water safety information, known contaminant risks for your state, and a personalised Waterdrop filter recommendation — free, instant, all 50 states.

All 50 states • Instant results • EWG data link • Filter matched to your area • Free, no sign-up

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State contamination profile
PFAS, lead, nitrates, chromium-6 and more — based on EPA data and EWG research
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Your utility on EWG
Direct link to your specific local utility’s full EWG contaminant report
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Filter matched to you
Waterdrop recommendation based on your area’s actual water quality concerns
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Links to full reports
City and state water quality reports plus our live boil water notice tracker

How this works: We combine EPA monitoring data, EWG research and our 2026 analysis of over 150 US cities to produce state-level water quality profiles. Enter your ZIP for an instant summary of known concerns, plus a direct link to the EWG Tap Water Database for your specific local utility — the most comprehensive contaminant database in the US, covering all 50 states.

How safe is tap water in the United States?

The United States has one of the most regulated public water supplies in the world, with the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act setting legally enforceable limits on over 90 contaminants. However, “meeting legal limits” and “being free of all health concerns” are not the same thing. The EWG Tap Water Database regularly finds contaminants at levels above health guidelines but below legal limits — particularly PFAS “forever chemicals”, chromium-6 and disinfection byproducts. Our US water quality directory covers detailed reports for over 150 cities and all 50 states.

The most widespread concerns include PFAS (detected in water serving over 143 million Americans), disinfection byproducts, nitrates in agricultural areas, lead from ageing pipes, chromium-6 and arsenic. Check our live boil water notices tracker for any active emergency alerts near you.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find out exactly what’s in my tap water?
The most comprehensive free tool is the EWG Tap Water Database — enter your ZIP to see every detected contaminant compared against both legal limits and health guidelines. You can also request your utility’s annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which every public water system must publish by 1st July each year. Browse our US water quality directory for detailed city and state reports.
Is tap water safe to drink in the US?
For most Americans on large municipal systems, tap water meets all federal legal standards. But legal compliance doesn’t mean no contaminants — it means levels are below EPA limits, which are often set on economic and technical feasibility rather than pure health science. Higher-risk areas include those near military bases (PFAS), agricultural regions (nitrates, atrazine), older cities (lead from pipes) and California’s Central Valley (arsenic, nitrates). Enter your ZIP above for a state-level risk profile based on our research.
What filter removes the most contaminants?
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems provide the broadest contaminant removal — removing PFAS, lead, chromium-6, nitrates, arsenic, fluoride and over 1,000 other substances. The Waterdrop G3P600 under-sink RO system is our top recommendation — NSF 58 & 372 certified. For renters, countertop RO systems offer similar performance with no installation. Standard carbon block filters are excellent for chlorine, taste and odour but do not remove PFAS, nitrates or heavy metals. See our water filter guide for full comparisons.
What are PFAS “forever chemicals”?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in manufacturing, food packaging, firefighting foam and non-stick coatings. They persist indefinitely in the environment and body. In April 2024, the EPA set the first-ever national limits for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion. PFAS have been detected in water systems across all 50 states — particularly near military bases, airports and industrial sites. Only reverse osmosis reliably removes PFAS from drinking water. Use the EWG link generated above to check your specific utility’s PFAS levels.
Does this tool cover private wells?
No — this tool covers public water systems only. Private wells are not federally regulated and are the homeowner’s responsibility to test annually. We recommend testing for bacteria (E. coli), nitrates and any locally relevant contaminants such as arsenic or radon. Contact your state environmental agency or a certified lab for testing. Browse our filter solutions page for well water options.