What's really in DC-metro tap water?
Most of the DMV drinks water drawn from the Potomac River. Local utilities do a genuinely good job meeting federalstandards, but those legal limits were largely set decades ago and sit far above the levels today's health research points to. Water can be perfectly legal and still carry contaminants worth removing.
Rather than publish a one-size-fits-all PDF, we built a live tool: enter your zip code and see the contaminants actually measured in your area, compared against the stricter EWG health guidelines.
Commonly detected in the region
PFAS ‘forever chemicals’
Industrial and runoff-linked compounds that don't break down in the body. Detected in a number of DMV utilities, often above the levels independent health scientists recommend.
Disinfection byproducts (THMs / HAA5)
Formed when chlorine used to treat river water reacts with organic matter. Legal in small amounts, but linked to long-term health concerns.
Lead
Rarely in the source water. It leaches from older service lines and household plumbing on the way to your tap. There is no safe level for children.
Chromium-6
The ‘Erin Brockovich’ chemical. Shows up in regional supplies at levels well above health-based guidelines, with no dedicated federal limit.
Reports by area
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