Where can I find information about my local drinking water supply?
The best way to learn about your local drinking water quality is to read the annual drinking water quality report/consumer confidence report that water suppliers now send out by July 1 of each year. The reports are often sent out with water bills, but they may be sent separately. The reports tell where drinking water comes from, what contaminants are in it, and at what levels.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers information about local drinking water systems through their Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. Many water suppliers are now posting their water-quality monitoring results on the Web, and these results can be accessed from this site.
The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey has completed a study that assesses water-quality conditions for about 2,100 domestic wells across the United States.
Learn more: USGS Drinking Water and Source Water Research
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New Study Shows High Potential for Groundwater to be Corrosive in Half of U.S. States
An analysis of more than 20,000 wells nationwide shows 25 states have groundwater that has either high or very high potential to be corrosive...
Contaminants in Groundwater Used for Public Supply
More than 20 percent of untreated water samples from 932 public wells across the nation contained at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Man-Made Chemicals Found in Drinking Water at Low Levels
Low levels of certain man-made chemicals remain in public water supplies after being treated in selected community water facilities.
Pesticides in the Nation's Streams and Ground Water
Today, the U.S. Geological Survey released a report describing the occurrence of pesticides in streams and ground water during 1992-2001.
USGS Report Shows How We Use Ground Water From Principal Aquifers
In its latest report on water use in the United States, the USGS looked at the nation's dependence on ground water. The report entitled Estimated Withdrawals from Principal Aquifers in the United States, 2000, provides details of ground-water withdrawals and use from principal aquifers in each state.
Potential Corrosivity of Untreated Groundwater in the United States
- Corrosive groundwater, if untreated, can dissolve lead and other metals from pipes.
- National maps have been prepared to identify the occurrence of potentially corrosive groundwater in the U.S.
- These findings have the greatest implication for the 44 million people dependent on domestic wells for drinking water.
Glass of drinking water - municipal water use
Stock photo
Drinking water from tap
The quality of the water we drink can potentially impact our health. The USGS has several programs and cooperative projects that characterize the quality of selected rivers and aquifers used as sources of drinking water to community water systems in the United States.
Drought, Drinking Water and Natural Environments
This short video is one of a series of four total shorts highlighting USGS water science in California's Delta region. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the hub of the state's water system. Water quality touches on all aspects of life. Teams of U.S. Geological Survey scientists along with their partners monitor water quality and identify sources of pollution and
Map of Groundwater Corrosivity Potential
This map shows the potential for groundwater corrosivity in groundwater wells in all 50 states. It is a combination of two indices, shown below.
Collecting groundwater samples from a municipal well, Nebraska
Collecting groundwater samples from a municipal well as part of the NAWQA Principal Aquifer Study in Nebraska.
Acidifying a Drinking Water Quality Sample for MTBE Analysis
Sample collected from Madison Springs Hut in the White Mountains (~ 5,000 ft above sea level).