What’s in Your Water
The 35-year-old federal law regulating tap water is so out of date that the water Americans drink can pose what scientists say are serious health risks — and still be legal. Examine whether contaminants in your water supply met two standards: the legal limits established by the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the typically stricter health guidelines. The data was collected by an advocacy organization, the Environmental Working Group, who shared it with The Times.
... or view the largest water systems in the nation
- 1. New York City-Catskill/Delaware System Bronx County (Serves 6,552,718 people)
- 2. City of Los Angeles, Dept. of Water & Power Los Angeles County (Serves 3,828,700 people)
- 3. Chicago Cook County (Serves 2,896,016 people)
- 4. City of Houston Public Works Dept. Harris County (Serves 2,700,000 people)
- 5. San Francisco Regional Water System San Mateo County (Serves 2,500,000 people)
- 6. Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Authority - Main System Miami-Dade County (Serves 2,100,000 people)
- 7. Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Suffolk County (Serves 2,000,000 people)
- 8. Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Montgomery County (Serves 1,800,000 people)
- 9. Baltimore City Baltimore City County (Serves 1,600,000 people)
- 10. Philadelphia Water Department Philadelphia County (Serves 1,600,000 people)
Also in this series »
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Clean Water Act Violations: The Enforcement RecordThe New York Times surveyed violations of the Clean Water Act in every state, and the response by state regulators.
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Tainted Tap WaterIn Maywood, Ca, located near downtown Los Angeles, tap water often comes out brown and contains harmful levels of dangerous chemicals.
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Water Polluters Near YouSearch data on more than 200,000 facilities around the nation permitted to discharge pollutants.