Safe Drinking Water May Vary Across U.S. Systems

In 2023 about 72% of public water systems reported no violations while nearly 28% had at least one, and about 4% exceeded health-based standards; most systems are small and the Safe Drinking Water Act requires public reporting such as the annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Many Americans assume drinking water is reliably safe. Water quality can change with weather, runoff, treatment, and the condition of local infrastructure. The Safe Drinking Water Act, passed in 1974, set federal rules and has been amended several times. Most public water systems are small, and the law allows variances in some cases. Key findings: - In 2023, 72% of active public water systems reported no violations, while nearly 28% reported at least one violation. - About 4% of systems in 2023 violated a health-based standard, indicating contaminants above allowable limits. - In 2023, 20% of systems failed to meet monitoring or reporting requirements, and 3.4% were designated enforcement priorities during at least one quarter. - Roughly 80% of public water systems serve small populations; the 1996 SDWA amendments allow variances for some small systems, and the annual Consumer Confidence Report must be delivered by July 1. Summary: Reported data for 2023 show a mixed picture of compliance across U.S. public water systems and a modest level of violations that include health-based exceedances. Public reporting requirements such as the Consumer Confidence Report (due each July 1) and ongoing enforcement actions remain central to how officials track and address those issues.