Here is an uncomfortable truth most people don't even think about: Your water can meet every federal standard for safe drinking, yet still contain many contaminants that are known to cause cancer, lower your immune system function, and disrupt hormones. Even though the water coming out of your tap appears completely clean, it doesn't necessarily mean that the water quality meets safety standards.
The EWG tap water database will expose the difference between what you may legally be allowed to drink and what is actually safe to consume. If you've never used the database before, here's how you can access it and what actions to take based on the information.
What Is the EWG Tap Water Database?
The EWG tap water database is an open public resource created by the Environmental Working Group to safeguard the health of the planet and its people through research, advocacy, and education on consumer choice. The EWG has continued to improve and expand the database since its initial launch in 2005. Currently, there is data available from 50 states (including D.C.) spanning the years 2021 through 2023 regarding water system performance, using data from more than 50K water systems.
To create the EWG tap water database, EWG requested records from public health agencies and environmental agencies about contamination of municipal water systems from all U.S. states. EWG compiled over 34 million individual records, which have been compared to drinking water quality records under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule. This effort has produced what could be the most comprehensive public map of drinking water contamination in the U.S.
Today, 324 different pollutants are found in public drinking water, and all but approximately two-thirds of public water systems have detectable levels of one or more contaminants - including many that may be recognized as carcinogens. An EWG study conducted in 2019 found that exposure to toxic drinking water may lead to an additional 100K cancer cases each year in the U.S.
Why "Legal" Doesn't Equal "Safe"
Every American needs to know the central message of the EWG tap water database, which is that "Legal doesn't mean safe."
The government requires water providers to submit to annual federal assessments; however, the federal standards that they must adhere to are many decades old, and do not reflect the latest science regarding how health risks arise from exposure to contaminants in drinking water. So, even though most assessments now find some new contaminants in water, as of today, there is no requirement for these contaminants to be treated.
Complicating this issue is the fact that, per the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, the EPA must make available to the public all data it has collected regarding the quality of drinking water in the U.S. Almost 30 years later, the EPA still has not published data regarding drinking water so, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) did create a Tap Water Database to make data easier for the public to interpret.
How to Use the EWG Tap Water Database to Check Your Water
When you feel it is appropriate to check my tap water quality, the process of doing so using the EWG tap water database is very easy. Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to ewg.org/tapwater
Go to the EWG tap water database at ewg.org/tapwater. You do not have to sign in to an account or register.
Step 2: Input Your ZIP Code
After entering your ZIP code in the search field, the database will tell you which utility is providing your area with water, and provide a complete breakdown of what contaminants were detected in your local water supply.
Step 3: View Your Contaminant Report
Your report will show every contaminant that was present in your water system, the level at which it was detected, what the EPA has determined is the legal limit, and most importantly, what the EWG has determined is the health guideline, which is based on the latest peer-reviewed science on safe levels of exposure to these contaminants. Many of the contaminants that EWG detects are below EPA's legal limit, but above EWG's health guideline, thus highlighting the difference in water quality between EWG and other sources, which is why the EWG tap water database is so powerful.
Step 4: Interpreting Your EWG Water Quality Report & Selecting the Right Filtration Solution
Making the most of your EWG water quality report means taking control of your water by translating the results into actions to protect your health through the use of proper filtration equipment and methods.
What Contaminants Might You Find?
The EWG has a database that shows how safe our tap water is, likely showing us the following classes of contaminants:
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PFAS (Forever Chemicals) – With an estimated 143 million Americans drinking from water supplies containing PFAS chemicals, these synthetic chemicals are associated with a greater risk of cancer, decreased immunity, affect our metabolism, and disrupt our hormonal system.
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HEAVY METALS – U.S. city tap water has been tested and found to contain arsenic, chromium-6, and lead, none of which is federally regulated.
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Chlorination Byproducts – Chlorine combines with organic material (like human, animal, or plant waste), creating byproducts of disinfection; even in water supply systems, which are generally low in contamination.
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VOCs – Contaminants (e.g., benzene, trichloroethylene) have been detected at potentially dangerous levels in U.S. community tap water systems.
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NITRATES – Commonly found in agricultural areas as a result of fertilizer runoff, they have contaminated many sources of water in the U.S. and may be linked to an increased risk of getting cancer and having problems with the thyroid.
Bottled Water Isn’t the Answer
After deciding to check my tap water quality, a lot of people reach for bottled water because they are horrified by the results. The EWG states that bottled water is not a safe and reliable alternative to tap water due to a lack of our manufacturers disclosing contaminant levels in the bottled water they produce. Studies have uncovered that bottled water may include nanoparticles - possible carcinogens that can add to your addiction to bottled water. On top of that, the average American household spends over $1,000/year on bottled water, which becomes a recurring expense that doesn't support any health benefits.
What Phoenix Gravity Does With This Information
The EWG tap water database is an invaluable resource for those who want to learn more about the contaminants found in their drinking supply. After using it, the next step is to filter out those unwanted chemicals. That's where Phoenix Gravity Water Filters provides an ideal solution for every household.
Phoenix Gravity is manufactured with more than 50 years of experience. Their gravity-fed water filtration systems are built with NSF/ANSI 42 and 372 certified coconut shell-based carbon block filters, which remove over 100 harmful contaminants, including PFAS, lead, chlorine, byproducts of chlorine, VOCs, heavy metals, microplastics, and drugs. The systems don't require any electricity or installation and are very economical to operate, about 5 cents per gallon, making them a true option for any household that is concerned about the quality of its tap water and takes the time to look at EWG water quality reports.
Final Thoughts
The EWG tap water database allows you to quickly determine the quality of your tap water in less than 60 seconds. Knowing what is in the water your family drinks every day could change the way you think about drinking water. Just because there are laws in place does not mean that there are safe drinking waters. The federal government is behind in providing standards based on scientific data. Also, bottled water is not a solution to contaminated tap water. The EWG tap water database allows you to take the facts about the water you are drinking into your own hands. You may choose how to handle that information, but for millions of people across the country who have found PFAS, lead, and cancer-causing byproducts in their drinking water, finding a certified home water filtration system that works is the best way to move forward.
Don’t wait - upgrade your water today with Phoenix Gravity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What does the EWG Tap Water Database offer, and is it free to use?
The EWG tap water database is an easy way to research water quality data from over 50,000 drinking water systems across the United States. The database was created by the Environmental Working Group and is provided free of charge to anyone searching for their water supply by entering a zip code. The database does not require any costs to access or register.
Q2: What do I need to do to find out my tap water quality using the EWG Database?
To check my tap water quality, visit ewg.org/tapwater and enter your zip code. The local water supplier's complete report on contaminant levels will appear on the screen for you to view. In addition to contaminant levels detected in your drinking water, the report also displays the limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for contaminants and the EWG health guidelines for contaminants. Typically, the EWG has developed more restrictive standards than what the EPA allows.
Q3. What do EWG Tap Water Quality reports say?
You will find details of every contaminant found in your water system, along with how much was detected and if that level exceeds the EPA legal limit or the EWG suggested health guideline on the EWG website. Your health guidelines are based on peer-reviewed scientific studies, and therefore, you may see contaminants that are below the legal limit to still exceed the EWG water quality health guideline, indicating that there is a substantial gap between what is legally safe and what is actually safe.
Q4. Does my Phoenix Gravity system remove all of those contaminants found in EWG tap water quality reports?
Yes! Our carbon filter elements are independently tested to remove over 100 contaminants typically found in EWG tap water database reports.
Q5. What will I gain by choosing a Phoenix Gravity system after you've checked your tap water for quality?
Once you have decided to check my tap water quality for pollutants and determine what is present in your water, you may want to compare products that provide filtration for your tap water based on available studies and advertised results. Phoenix Gravity has the most no-risk, accessible, and rigorously tested Household-certified filters at approximately $0.05 per gallon and are manufactured for over fifty years with high-quality food-grade stainless steel and offer a risk-free 100-day guarantee!