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The One Thing a Water Quality Scientist Wants You to Know About Drinking Tap

When it comes to drinking water, your senses aren't reliable guides. Here's what experts say is most commonly lurking in the tap.

David Watsky CNET 29 Jun 2026, 09:01 1 min read 5/10

The One Thing a Water Quality Scientist Wants You to Know About Drinking Tap

Key Takeaways

Lead enters tap water primarily from corrosion of old lead service pipes; an estimated 9.2 million U.S. homes still have lead pipes (EPA, 2024).
PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were detected in 45% of U.S. tap water samples in a 2023 Environmental Working Group study.
Chlorine byproducts like trihalomethanes are linked to increased bladder cancer risk; EPA maximum contaminant level is 80 parts per billion.
A 2024 federal rule mandates reduction of lead in drinking water to 10 parts per billion within 10 years for community water systems.
Home water test kits range from $15–$150; certified laboratory testing for full panel of contaminants can cost $100–$500.

Your tap water might look clean, taste fine, and smell neutral — yet still harbor contaminants that pose health risks. That's the one thing a water quality scientist wants you to know: your senses are unreliable when judging drinking water safety. Common invisible threats include lead, PFAS (forever chemicals), chlorine byproducts, and microbial pathogens, many of which have no taste or odor. Aging infrastructure across the United States, with pipes over 50 years old, exacerbates lead leaching. A 2023 study by the Environmental Working Group found detectable levels of PFAS in 45% of U.S. tap water samples. Meanwhile, the Safe Drinking Water Act regulates only about 90 contaminants, while tens of thousands of chemicals circulate in commerce, leaving gaps in oversight. Experts recommend annual home water testing, especially for private well users, and using certified filters targeting specific pollutants. The Biden administration's 2024 PFAS regulation rule mandates maximum contaminant levels for six PFAS compounds, but full compliance won't be required until 2029. Until then, consumers should rely on science, not senses, and proactively verify their water quality.

How to Check Your Tap Water Safety

A step-by-step guide to assess and ensure the safety of your drinking tap water.

1

Obtain your water utility's Consumer Confidence Report

Contact your local water utility or visit their website to request the annual CCR, which lists detected contaminants and whether any exceed EPA limits. This report is free and legally required for all community water systems.
2

Use a home water test kit for basic screening

Purchase a certified home test kit from a reputable brand (e.g., Safe Home, PURTEST). Follow instructions to test for pH, hardness, chlorine, nitrates, and bacteria. Results appear within minutes to days depending on the kit.
3

Send a sample to a certified laboratory for comprehensive analysis

For heavy metals like lead and PFAS, mail a water sample to a laboratory accredited by your state or EPA. Expect results in 2–4 weeks. Costs range from $100–$500. Review the lab's sample collection instructions carefully.
4

Interpret the results and compare to EPA standards

Compare your test results to the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Levels. If any contaminant exceeds the MCL, avoid drinking the water and install a certified filter targeting that specific contaminant (e.g., NSF/ANSI 53 for lead, NSF/ANSI 58 for PFAS).
5

Take corrective action and re-test

Install a point-of-use filter or whole-house system as needed. For persistent issues like lead pipes, consider replacing plumbing. Re-test after treatment to confirm effectiveness. Repeat testing annually or after changes to water source or infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

In most developed countries, tap water meets legal safety standards, but contaminants like lead, PFAS, and chlorine byproducts can still be present at low levels. The U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act regulates about 90 contaminants, leaving many unmonitored. Annual testing is recommended, especially for private wells.

Common contaminants include lead from old pipes, PFAS (forever chemicals) from industrial sources, chlorine byproducts (trihalomethanes), arsenic, nitrates from agriculture, and microbial pathogens like Cryptosporidium. Many have no taste, color, or odor.

You can buy home test kits for basic parameters (pH, chlorine, hardness) or send a sample to a certified laboratory for comprehensive analysis of metals, chemicals, and microbes. Local water utilities also provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports.

Boiling kills bacteria and viruses but does not remove lead, PFAS, chlorine byproducts, or heavy metals. In fact, boiling can concentrate some contaminants by reducing water volume. Use a certified filter if you want to reduce chemical contaminants.

In April 2024, the EPA finalized a rule setting maximum contaminant levels for six PFAS compounds. Water systems must monitor and reduce levels, with full compliance required by 2029. This is the first federal PFAS regulation for drinking water.

The EPA recommends annual testing for private wells. For public water, review your utility's annual report. Additional testing is wise if you live in an older home with lead pipes, near industrial sites, or after water main breaks.

Topics

tap water safety water quality drinking water water contamination PFAS lead in water water testing

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