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Frequently Asked QuestionsSearch the Hotline's Question/Answer DatabaseFind an answer or ask a question about drinking water and ground water programs authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Getting Information about your Tap WaterQ: How can I find out if my tap water is safe to drink? The best source of specific information about your drinking water is your water supplier. Water suppliers that serve the same people year-round are required to send their customers an annual water quality report (sometimes called a consumer confidence report). Contact your water supplier to get a copy or see if your report is posted on-line. For additional information, visit the following EPA Web sites:
Q. How will I know if my water isn't safe to drink? Follow the advice of your water supplier if you ever receive such a notice. The most common drinking water emergency is contamination by disease-causing germs. Boiling your water for one minute will kill these germs. You can also use common household bleach or iodine to disinfect your drinking water at home in an emergency, such as a flood.
Q. What's this new drinking water report that I've heard about? The reports must be provided annually before July 1, and, in most cases, are mailed directly to customers' homes.
Q. How can I get my water tested? After you've read this report, you may wish to test for specific contaminants (such as lead) that can vary from house to house, or any other contaminant you're concerned about. EPA does not test individual homes, and cannot recommend specific laboratories to test your drinking water. States certify water testing laboratories. You may call your state certification officer to get a list of certified laboratories in your state. Depending on how many contaminants you test for, a water test can cost from $15 to hundreds of dollars.
Drinking Water Standards and ContaminantsQ. What is a drinking water standard? Water that meets these standards is safe to drink, although people with severely compromised immune systems and children may have special needs. For a more detailed description, read about how standards are set. Q. I don't like the taste/smell/appearance of my tap water. What's
wrong with it? Common complaints about water aesthetics include:
Q. I'm worried about a specific drinking water contaminant [lead,
Cryptosporidium, nitrate, radon, etc.]. What should I know? For more information about a specific contaminant, see EPA's fact sheets on drinking water contaminants, which have more detailed information on every contaminant EPA currently sets standards for and those EPA is considering setting standards for. Special Health Needs of People With Severely Compromised Immune Systems Q. What if I have a severely compromised immune system? EPA/Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants offer more detailed advice. Private Drinking Water Wells Q. What should I do if I have my own drinking water well? More information is available on EPA's private drinking water wells Web site. You can help protect your water supply by carefully managing activities near the water source, to find out how visit EPA's Source Water Protection Web site. The organization Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst provides information to help farmers and rural residents assess pollution risks and develop management plans to meet their unique needs. Bottled Water Q. What about bottled water? Bottled water and tap water are both safe to drink if they meet these standards, although people with severely compromised immune systems and children may have special needs. Some bottled water is treated more than tap water, while some is treated less or not treated at all. Bottled water costs much more than tap water on a per gallon basis. Bottled water is valuable in emergency situations (such as floods and earthquakes), and high quality bottled water may be a desirable option for people with weakened immune systems. Consumers who choose to purchase bottled water should carefully read its label to understand what they are buying, whether it is a better taste, or a certain method of treatment.
More information on bottled water is available from the International Bottled Water Association, which represents most US bottlers. Home Water Treatment Units Q. What about home water treatment units?
Consumers who choose to purchase a home water treatment unit should carefully read its product information to understand what they are buying, whether it is a better taste or a certain method of treatment. Be certain to follow the manufacturer's instructions for operation and maintenance, especially changing the filter on a regular basis.
EPA neither endorses nor recommends specific home water treatment units. EPA does register units that make germ-killing claims.
No single unit takes out every kind of drinking water contaminant; you must decide which type best meets your needs. For help in picking a unit, contact one of the following independent non-profit organizations:
Both NSF International and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. test and certify home water treatment units. The Water Quality Association classifies units according to the contaminants they remove as well as listing units that have earned their “Gold Seal” approval. Water treatment units certified by these organizations will indicate certification on their packaging or labels. Drinking Water Sources and Protection Q. Where does my drinking water come from? Q. How can I help protect my drinking water? For more information Q. How many public water systems are there in the United States? Q: Where can I get more information?
You can also contact:
EPA has also prepared a citizen's guide to drinking water called Water on Tap: What You Need To Know.
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