IS YOUR DRINKING WATER SAFE?

 

Releasing JULY 2025

States with the Worst and Best Drinking Water: A 2023 Report on Water Quality

Recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights the significant disparities in drinking water quality across U.S. states. The report reveals which states had the most Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) violations in 2023, showing that some areas are struggling more than others to provide safe drinking water to their residents. The SDWA is a federal law designed to ensure the safety of public drinking water supplies. It categorizes violations into three main groups: health-based violations (such as failing to remove harmful chemicals or pathogens), monitoring and reporting violations, and other violations, like failing to notify the public about water quality issues.

States with the Most Water Violations in 2023

According to the data, Pennsylvania recorded the highest number of water violations in 2023, with a staggering 24,525 violations. Texas followed with 15,340 violations, and West Virginia ranked third with 7,473 violations. Of Pennsylvania’s violations, a large portion—14,808—were related to monitoring and reporting issues.

Other states with high numbers of violations include:

• New York: 6,743 violations
• Oklahoma: 5,188 violations
• Florida: 5,187 violations
• Oregon: 5,140 violations

The states rounding out the top 10 for violations are Alaska (4,715), Michigan (4,551), and Illinois (4,469).

States with the Cleanest Drinking Water

On the other end of the spectrum, some states report minimal violations. Hawaii recorded the fewest violations, with just two, followed by Delaware (117 violations), Kentucky (139 violations), and Nebraska (190 violations). Other states with relatively few violations include:

• North Dakota: 233 violations
• South Carolina: 252 violations
• South Dakota: 265 violations
• Minnesota: 369 violations
• Rhode Island: 392 violations
• Maryland: 480 violations

These numbers reflect the performance of individual public water systems (PWS) within each state, with each state overseeing thousands of PWS. In Pennsylvania, for example, out of the 8,083 PWS, nearly half (3,660) had at least one violation.

The Health Impacts of Water Contamination

Violations, especially those involving harmful substances like pathogens or chemicals, can have serious health consequences. Pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Giardia, which often result from fecal contamination, can cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Similarly, long-term exposure to chemicals like lead, mercury, and arsenic can lead to severe health problems, including cancer, neurological damage, and organ failure.

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink?

The EPA regulates tap water in the U.S. under the Safe Drinking Water Act, ensuring that it meets strict safety standards. As a result, tap water in most areas of the country is considered safe for consumption. However, rural areas relying on private wells, which are not regulated by the SDWA, may face higher risks. Additionally, older homes with lead pipes could experience lead contamination in drinking water.

Bottled Water vs. Tap Water: Which Is Safer?

While bottled water can bypass some of the risks associated with tap water, it comes at a significantly higher cost—often 200 to 2,000 times more expensive per gallon. Moreover, the FDA regulates bottled water, but its standards are not as stringent as the EPA’s regulations for tap water. In fact, some bottled water is simply filtered tap water. Additionally, fluoride, which is intentionally added to public drinking water in many states for its dental health benefits, is not commonly found in bottled water.

Fluoride in Tap Water: A Health Debate

Fluoride is present in many U.S. tap water systems, and studies have shown that water fluoridation can reduce dental decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. While some states have a higher concentration of fluoride than others, the practice remains widely supported by public health experts, including the American Dental Association (ADA). For example, Kentucky leads the country in water fluoridation, with nearly 100% of its population receiving fluoridated water.

However, some individuals, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have voiced concerns about fluoride, claiming it may cause a range of health issues, from bone fractures to neurological damage. The ADA, however, asserts that fluoride is safe at the levels typically found in public water systems. For fluoride to reach toxic levels, an individual would need to consume an impossibly high amount—over 120 gallons of fluoridated water at once.

States with the Most and Least Fluoridated Water

Some states have nearly universal fluoridation, while others have much lower rates. For instance, Idaho has the lowest percentage of its population with access to fluoridated water, at just 34.37%. Louisiana (37.87%) and Utah (43.55%) are also relatively low. In contrast, states like Kentucky (99.73%), Minnesota (98.74%), and Illinois (98.21%) have near-total fluoridation coverage.

Conclusion

The quality of drinking water varies significantly across the United States. While most tap water meets federal safety standards, certain states face greater challenges in maintaining safe drinking water for their residents. Monitoring and addressing water quality violations, especially in high-risk areas, is crucial to ensuring public health. Whether opting for tap, bottled, or filtered water, understanding the source and potential risks of your drinking water is essential for staying healthy.