Environmental Working Group – “If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually in your tap water, we have answers. Our Tap Water Database provides insight into pollutants in local water resources. Since 2013, water utilities’ testing has found pollutants in Americans’ tap water, according to an EWG drinking water quality analysis of more than 31 million state water records.” [h/t Michael Ravnitzky]

User may locate their respective data via search using zip code, state name, or utility name. Data will include the number of utility users. These data for Maryland for example, identify each chemical name, potential effect (such as cancer) and the amount over guidelines per testing. Along with climate data, these data are critical determining factors in individual health and well being, and impact decisions Americans may need to make about changing the use of their drinking water. “…Federal drinking water standards have not been updated in decades, and the regulatory process does not take into consideration the heightened vulnerability to toxic chemicals of children, infants and the developing fetus. Many chemicals known to pose risks lack enforceable federal health standards, leaving the public susceptible to harm from new and emerging contaminants in tap water…EWG standards are not based on compromises polluters and politicians find acceptable, or the cost of cleaning up drinking water supplies. Rather, to arrive at these standards, EWG reviewed the best and latest scientific evidence, legal standards and health advisories, and then we defined water quality goals that will truly protect public health. The fifth edition of EWG’s national Tap Water Database applies no-compromise standards for water contaminants that have no federal legal limit or that have legal limits too weak to ensure safe water quality…”