US Cities with Water Quality Concerns

Cities with documented EPA violations, notable water safety incidents, or ongoing infrastructure challenges. Click any city to see EPA violation records for its water systems.

⚠️ Cities with Notable Water Quality Issues

1 Flint, MI Lead crisis 2014-2019; ongoing pipe replacement F

2 Newark, NJ Lead action level exceeded 2017-2021 F

3 Pittsburgh, PA Elevated lead in older homes; pipe replacement ongoing D

4 Milwaukee, WI Lead service lines; 1993 Cryptosporidium outbreak C

5 Baltimore, MD Lead and chemical violations in some systems C

6 Detroit, MI Lead pipe replacement program ongoing C

7 Benton Harbor, MI Exceeded lead action level 2018-2021 F

8 Jackson, MS Multiple boil water advisories and pressure failures F

9 Camden, NJ Multiple health-based violations in recent years D

10 New Orleans, LA Aging infrastructure; lead pipe concerns C

11 Cleveland, OH TTHM violations and lead concerns in older areas C

12 Fresno, CA Arsenic violations in some small systems nearby C

13 Stockton, CA Nitrate violations in surrounding agricultural areas C

14 El Paso, TX TTHM violations in some service areas C

15 Laredo, TX Elevated nitrate levels near agricultural zones C

Grades and notes are based on EPA SDWIS records and publicly reported incidents. Click any city to see current violation data. Always check your specific water system report for the most accurate information.

🌍 Contaminant Risk by Region

⚠️ Lead Risk

Highest risk states: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland

Cities with older housing stock and lead service lines are at highest risk. The Lead and Copper Rule requires action when the 90th-percentile sample exceeds 15 ppb.

🌾 Nitrate Risk

Highest risk states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, California (Central Valley)

Nitrate from agricultural fertilizer runoff is most common in the Midwest and California's agricultural regions. Especially dangerous for infants under 6 months.

🏔️ Arsenic Risk

Highest risk states: Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California, New England

Naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater is highest in the Southwest, parts of the Midwest, and New England. Many small systems exceed the 10 ppb MCL.

🏭 PFAS Risk

Highest risk states: Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado

PFAS contamination is linked to military bases, fire training facilities, and industrial sites. The EPA set new MCLs for PFOS and PFOA in April 2024.

☢️ Radium Risk

Highest risk states: Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas

Naturally occurring radium in deep groundwater is most common in the Midwest and parts of Texas. Many small systems rely on groundwater with elevated radium levels.

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