Why "Safe" Drinking Water Standards May Not Truly Protect Your Health

While the U.S. government sets legal limits for contaminants in drinking water, these standards haven’t kept pace with current scientific understanding, leaving Americans exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. For infants, children, and pregnant women, the risks are particularly high. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created health benchmarks for drinking water, based on the latest research, to define what’s truly safe—not just legally permissible. Here’s a closer look at some key contaminants and the standards set by EWG to protect public health.

Why Legal Doesn’t Always Mean Safe

Federal standards are often outdated and don’t consider the vulnerability of developing fetuses or children. Many chemicals in water, such as PFAS and nitrate, have no enforceable limits or, if regulated, are subject to levels much higher than those recommended by recent health research. The EWG’s fifth Tap Water Database aims to provide a science-based approach, offering no-compromise guidelines that prioritize health over political or economic factors.

Contaminants and Their Health Effects

Below are some contaminants commonly found in drinking water, their current federal limits, EWG’s recommended health guidelines, and associated health risks:

Contaminant Federal Legal Limit EWG Health Guideline Health Effects
Atrazine 3 ppb 0.1 ppb Hormone disruption, cancer, fetal development issues
Barium 2 ppm 0.7 ppm High blood pressure, kidney, heart, and blood vessel damage
Glyphosate 700 ppb 5 ppb Cancer, fetal growth, and kidney harm
Nitrate 10 ppm 0.14 ppm Cancer, fetal growth, child development concerns
PFAS None 0.001 ppb Cancer, immune, and developmental risks
PFOA None 0.007 ppt Cancer, immune, and liver health risks
Trihalomethanes 80 ppb 0.15 ppb Bladder and skin cancer, fetal growth harm

How EWG Developed Health Guidelines

The EWG’s benchmarks rely on in-depth epidemiological studies and health data. Each guideline considers exposure risks, age-specific safety factors, and cumulative lifetime risk. This approach ensures standards that go beyond cost considerations, striving for the highest health protection possible. For instance:

  • Atrazine: EWG set a limit of 0.1 ppb based on studies linking atrazine exposure to preterm births.
  • Nitrate: A guideline of 0.14 ppm minimizes cancer risk and protects against developmental harm.
  • PFAS and PFOA: Recognizing their lasting impact, EWG suggests stringent guidelines to minimize these chemicals’ effects on the immune system and overall health.

A Call for Safer Drinking Water Standards

Legal water limits often reflect economic or political compromises rather than true health safety. The reality is that "legal" doesn’t necessarily mean "safe." Communities relying on drinking water that meets federal standards may still face exposure to contaminants that pose significant health risks. EWG’s updated health benchmarks reveal a gap that needs bridging through stricter federal standards and enforcement.

Conclusion: Protecting Public Health, One Guideline at a Time

Safe drinking water is essential for every American, but current federal standards fall short. The EWG’s no-compromise approach to water quality aims to set a new benchmark for safety, especially for vulnerable populations. By pushing for updated, science-backed standards, we can move closer to ensuring that all Americans have access to clean and truly safe drinking water.