Water is essential for Americans, but its safety is threatened by contaminants like arsenic, lead, and PFAS.

• Americans rely heavily on water in their everyday lives, but contamination is a widespread issue.
• Key contaminants include arsenic, lead, and PFAS, each causing different health problems.

The U.S. faces frequent water main breaks due to old infrastructure, while the home water filtration market is booming.

• The aging U.S. water infrastructure leads to water main breaks every two minutes.
• Urban areas see water filtration as a necessity, fueling market growth with an increase expected from 2022 to 2030.

The EPA plans new rules on PFAS, and massive investments are required to address water safety concerns.

• By the beginning of 2024, the EPA aims to finalize a rule for reporting PFAS concentrations in tap water.
• Addressing PFAS will require billions in infrastructure investments, with ongoing costs for treatment.

The U.S. ranks 23rd in global water safety, with varying water quality across states and complex contamination issues.

• The U.S. trails other comparable nations in water safety rankings.
• Different sources rate various states as having the best or worst water quality, reflecting complexity in water safety.

The water supply process is comprehensive, but dated infrastructure and lack of investment pose significant challenges.

• Water from natural sources is treated and distributed through an aging infrastructure system.
• The fragmented nature of U.S. water systems and insufficient investments hinder the ability to maintain and improve them.

Multiple threats to drinking water persist across the U.S., requiring an estimated $630 billion to maintain systems.

• Threats include climate variability, aging infrastructure, and toxic contaminants like arsenic, PFAS, and lead.
• The scale of investment needed is substantial, and there are calls for those responsible to bear the costs.

U.S. tap water is regulated and treated to meet health standards, but contaminants still present challenges.

• Most U.S. tap water is compliant with health standards, but treatment processes can introduce new contaminants.
• Lead contamination, primarily from service pipes, poses a significant health risk, and efforts are underway to address it.

Various contaminants affect tap water differently across regions, with PFAS being a widespread issue.

• Contaminants like nitrate and arsenic vary by region, while PFAS is found in at least 45% of U.S. tap water.
• Efforts to monitor and regulate PFAS are ongoing, but treatment facilities need time and resources to comply.

Filtration systems are crucial for addressing contaminants, with the filtration market expected to grow significantly.

• Water filtration is a key strategy for removing contaminants, with various technologies available for different needs.
• Filtration is seen as essential in many areas, and companies like Brita aim to provide eco-friendly filtration solutions.

Consumers should be informed about their tap water quality and consider appropriate filtration if necessary.

• Consumers can access water quality reports and use test kits to check for contaminants.
• The responsibility for contamination and its treatment should lie with the polluters, not consumers.