A 2019 water quality report by Environmental Working Group shows elevated contaminant levels in public drinking water.

Your drinking water may have more contaminates in it than you realized. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has just published a report measuring the presence of chemicals and contaminants in water sources across the country. Tests conducted by the Maryland Department of the Environment of 468 water utilities found 89 different contaminants in water samples over a span of five years. The data showed three contaminants—nitrate, arsenic, and haloacetic acids—came in above legal limits. 

The data was collected from 2012 to 2017 and covered major utility agencies as well as small community utilities. Rules require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to only list violations by utilities, but not the actual amounts of contaminants in the water. EWG has posted the information to give the public more detailed information about the water they drink. 

The above legal limit levels of nitrate, arsenic and haloacetic acids were only found in water sources that affect about 2,400 people in Maryland. However, there are several larger utilities where 10 chemicals were found in levels that were above acceptable health guidelines. The utility with the highest number of violations was the City of Havre De Grace with 30 violations.

So, how can you protect your family?

First, visit the EWG site to check the record of your local water utility to see what chemicals could be present in your water.

Next, purchase a water filtration device to remove the contaminants from your drinking water. The easiest and most affordable water filtration solution is a carbon filter. Available as a pitcher or faucet-mount, these filters reduce many of the common culprits and are affordable.

Another option is a reverse osmosis system, a combination of carbon and sediment filters that can remove chemicals not removed by activated carbon.

Finally, iron and water softeners can remove calcium and magnesium and are designed to keep your plumbing systems healthy.

You may need to use a combination of these filters to remove all the contaminants.

What do you think about the drinking water in Maryland? Do you use any kind of filtration system? Tell us your experience in the comments!