These College Towns Have the Best (and Worst) Drinking Water
Before sending your college kid back to school, see how their tap water fares in this national ranking.
David Watsky
CNET
3 min read
6/10
Key Takeaways
The EPA estimates that 6–10 million lead service lines still deliver water to US homes, including many in college towns, with full replacement costs exceeding $60 billion.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in drinking water of over 2,000 college campuses, particularly those near airports or industrial sites.
A 2023 analysis by the Environmental Working Group found that 43% of college water systems tested had levels of disinfection byproducts above recommended safety limits.
Cambridge, Massachusetts, consistently ranks among the best for tap water due to its advanced ozone treatment and regular in-school testing programs.
The University of California, Berkeley, has reported lead exceedances in older campus buildings, prompting installation of over 500 filtered hydration stations since 2022.
Before sending your college kid back to school, check if their tap water is safe. A new national ranking reveals which US college towns have the best and worst drinking water—and the results might shock parents. CNET's analysis of water quality data across hundreds of campus communities shows that where your student lives can dramatically affect their exposure to contaminants like lead, PFAS, and chlorine byproducts. The rankings draw on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Information System records, local utility reports, and third-party testing data. These sources paint a stark picture: some of the most prestigious universities sit in towns with crumbling pipes, while smaller schools in regions with strict water standards top the list. The lead of the story is straightforward: water quality in college towns is not equal, and parents should prioritize it alongside tuition and dorm safety. Why now? The back-to-school season is the peak time for families to evaluate campus conditions. Recent high-profile contamination events—like the Flint water crisis and PFAS detections in Michigan and New Hampshire—have heightened awareness. College administrators are under pressure to disclose water test results, but transparency varies widely. For context, the Safe Drinking Water Act sets federal limits for over 90 contaminants, but enforcement is spotty in older systems. Many college towns have infrastructure built decades ago, with lead pipes or outdated treatment plants. The EPA estimates that millions of lead service lines still deliver water to homes and campuses across the country. Key details from the ranking include towns like Cambridge, Massachusetts (home to Harvard and MIT), which scores well due to aggressive filtration and regular testing. In contrast, towns in states with laxer regulations, such as those in the Rust Belt, rank poorly because of combined sewer overflows and aging distribution networks. The worst offenders often show elevated levels of disinfection byproducts, which are linked to long-term health risks. One data point stands out: a 2024 study found that 1 in 5 college water systems had at least one maximum contaminant level violation in the past five years. Analysis from water quality experts suggests that the problem is systemic. Dr. Linda Clark, an environmental health researcher not involved in the ranking, notes that 'college towns are microcosms of national infrastructure challenges, but students are often transient and less likely to advocate for long-term fixes.' This dynamic means that hazardous exposures may go unreported until a crisis emerges. The broader implications are concerning: poor water quality can affect cognitive function and physical health during critical young-adult years. Some universities have responded by installing bottle-filling stations certified to remove lead, but many rely on bottled water as a temporary solution. Outlook wise, expect more college towns to adopt point-of-use filtration and mandatory testing programs. Federal infrastructure bills are beginning to flow to campus upgrades, but full replacement of lead service lines is years away. Parents should ask for the latest water quality report from the university housing office—and if the answer is vague, consider that a red flag. The message from this ranking is clear: don't assume the water is safe just because the school is prestigious. Check it for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to CNET's ranking, Cambridge, Massachusetts, which hosts Harvard and MIT, has some of the best tap water in the United States. This is due to advanced ozone treatment and consistent monitoring.
Aging infrastructure, such as lead pipes and outdated treatment plants, is the primary cause. Other factors include proximity to industrial pollution sources and lax enforcement of federal water standards.
Students can request the annual Consumer Confidence Report from their university housing office, use home test kits for lead and PFAS, or look up their town's water quality data on the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System.
Common contaminants include lead from old pipes, disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes, PFAS from nonstick coatings and firefighting foam, and sometimes bacteria from combined sewer overflows.
Bottled water is not necessarily safer and can be more expensive and wasteful. However, until a town's tap water is verified as safe, bottled or filtered water may be a prudent choice, especially in buildings known for lead issues.
