When it comes to drinking water, getting a passing grade from the government does not mean water is safe.

Federal drinking water standards are often woefully inadequate to protect public health because the regulatory process does not consider the heightened vulnerability of children, infants and developing fetuses to toxic chemicals. In addition, there are no enforceable federal health standards for many chemicals known to pose risks, leaving the public susceptible to harm from new and emerging contaminants in tap water.

Drinking water standards and other environmental regulations are too often based on political and economic compromises aimed at keeping treatment costs down. But what would these standards look like if the public interest came first?

EWG scientists reviewed the best and latest scientific evidence, legal standards and health advisories, and defined water quality goals that will truly protect public health. With the third edition of our National Tap Water Database, we’re introducing EWG Standards for chemicals and other pollutants that have no regulatory limit or that have legal limits too weak to assure good water quality.

Enter your ZIP code here to find out what’s in your tap water: EWG Tap Water Database