Is My Tap Water Safe? Understanding the Hidden Risks

Why Water Safety Matters

The Role of Water in Your Health
We depend on water for nearly every bodily function—digestion, circulation, detoxification, and temperature regulation. Even small amounts of harmful substances in your water can accumulate over time and impact your health. Children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.

While municipal water systems are regulated under the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act, compliance doesn’t guarantee your water is free of all contaminants. Aging infrastructure, industrial runoff, and outdated safety limits mean your tap water could still carry risks.

Common Tap Water Contaminants

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)‍

Often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment, PFAS are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, immune suppression, and developmental issues in children. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, PFAS are present in about 45% of U.S. tap water.

Lead
Lead can leach into water from old pipes, solder, and fixtures—especially in homes built before 1986. Even low levels are dangerous, particularly for children, and can lead to developmental delays, learning difficulties, and neurological issues.

Chlorine and Disinfection Byproducts
Chlorine kills harmful microbes in public water supplies, but it can react with organic matter to form potentially harmful byproducts like trihalomethanes (THMs). Long-term exposure to high levels has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Nitrates
Common in agricultural areas, nitrates from fertilizer runoff can contaminate groundwater and municipal water systems. In infants, high nitrate levels can cause “blue baby syndrome,” which limits oxygen in the blood.

Microbial Pathogens
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites such as E. coli, Giardia, and Legionella can enter the water supply through broken pipes, flooding, or inadequate treatment. These can cause gastrointestinal illness and, in severe cases, life-threatening infections.

How to Find Out If Your Tap Water Is Safe

Check Your Local Water Quality Report
Every public water supplier must publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) detailing levels of regulated contaminants. These are usually available on your city’s website or by request.

Look Up Your Water in the EWG Database
The Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database lets you search by ZIP code to see which contaminants are present and how levels compare to health guidelines.

Test Your Water at Home
Even if your municipal report looks fine, contaminants can enter between the treatment plant and your faucet. Home testing kits—especially those analyzed by certified labs—can give you precise results.

Steps to Improve Your Tap Water Safety

Install a Certified Water Filter
Different filters remove different contaminants. Choose one certified by NSF International for the specific risks in your water. Options include pitcher filters, under-sink systems, and whole-house filtration.

Maintain Plumbing and Fixtures
Replace old lead service lines and corroded pipes. Clean faucet aerators regularly to prevent buildup of contaminants.

Flush Your Pipes
Before using water for drinking or cooking—especially in the morning—let it run for 30–60 seconds to flush out stagnant water.

Consider a Point-of-Use Solution
For high-risk households or areas with persistent contamination, a reverse osmosis system or other point-of-use filtration may be worth the investment.

Recognizing Signs of Water Contamination

While many contaminants are invisible, changes in taste, odor, or color should be taken seriously. Cloudiness, metallic taste, chlorine smell, or rust-colored water could signal a problem that needs immediate attention.

Conclusion: Don’t Assume—Verify

Clear water isn’t always clean water. The only way to know if your tap water is safe is to test it and take steps to fix any issues found. With the right information and filtration, you can protect your household from invisible threats and enjoy peace of mind every time you turn on the tap.

Check Your Water Quality with Nestwell
Nestwell helps you uncover what’s really in your tap water. Our free Home Health Score uses your ZIP code to pull local water quality data and provide tailored recommendations. Take the quiz today at https://www.gonestwell.com to see how your water measures up—and what you can do to make it safer.

‍