Tap Water in 42 States Contaminated by Chemicals

From Larry West, Your Guide to Environmental Issues

EWG Tap Water Probe Reveals 141 Unregulated Chemicals Flowing into U.S. Homes - Public water supplies in 42 U.S. states are contaminated with 141 unregulated chemicals for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has never established safety standards, according to an investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Utilities Need More Enforceable Standards for Tap Water - EWG's analysis also found that almost all U.S. water utilities comply fully with enforceable health standards once they are developed. The problem, according to the environmental group, is the EPA's failure to establish enforceable health standards and monitoring requirements for many tap water contaminants.

"Our analysis clearly demonstrates the need for greater protection of the nation's tap water supplies, and for increased health protections from a number of pollutants that are commonly found but currently unregulated." said Jane Houlihan, vice president for science at EWG, in a prepared statement. "Utilities routinely go beyond what is required to protect consumers from these contaminants, but they need more money for testing, and for protection of vital source waters."