The Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database allows the public to enter their zip code and receive an analysis of drinking water in that locality. The database provides information related to water quality effects from agricultural runoff, lead contamination from old infrastructure, and even human health threats from PFAS. The latest update comprises drinking water results taken between 2012 and 2017 from about 50,000 sites in all 50 states.
One critical point was emphasized when EWG researchers used data from this tool to look at the potential socioeconomic disparities related to drinking water quality. They found that low-income communities are more likely to have poorer quality drinking water with greater concentrations of toxic contaminants than their wealthier counterparts. Specifically, smaller drinking water systems had higher levels of contaminants, and these smaller systems tend to struggle with underfunding and more likely serve low-income communities.
Olga Naidenko, Vice President of Science Investigations at EWG, says, “The relationship between social and economic indicators and water quality is well established…Poor people always have the short end of the stick.” Laurel Schaider, a research scientist with the Silent Spring Institute, highlights the fact that, “Studies show very harmful health effects even at low levels.” More so, no new chemicals have been added to the EPA’s list of primary drinking water contaminants in almost 20 years. Thus, further action is needed to utilize the discoveries made in recent research endeavors and to combat the disparities created by drinking water contaminants.
Naidenko notes that the EWG will conduct further research regarding the links between poor communities and poor-quality drinking water, as well as for solutions we can aim for in the coming months.
