The United States’ drinking water infrastructure is among the most extensive in the world—but also one of the most fragile and outdated. Much of the country’s water delivery system, including treatment plants and underground pipes, was built more than 50 years ago. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, many systems have exceeded their intended lifespan, resulting in billions of gallons of treated water lost daily through leaks and breaks. These structural deficiencies directly affect water quality and reliability.
Our investigations at TheWaterReport.com reveal that aging infrastructure not only wastes water but also amplifies contamination risks. Corroding pipes release metals like lead and copper into drinking water, while outdated treatment systems fail to adequately remove emerging contaminants such as PFAS and microplastics. Smaller and rural communities face even greater challenges, lacking the tax base or resources to upgrade deteriorating systems.
Funding shortfalls remain a major barrier. While federal programs such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have earmarked billions for upgrades, the need far exceeds the available support. Many municipalities must choose between replacing lead service lines, maintaining treatment plants, or expanding capacity—all with limited budgets. The result is a patchwork of water safety levels across the nation, where one city’s tap water may be pristine while another’s is hazardous.
Our reporting underscores that these gaps are not just technical issues—they are public health and equity concerns. Communities of color and low-income areas are disproportionately affected by neglected infrastructure. Without sustained investment and enforcement of water quality standards, millions remain vulnerable to contamination that modern technology could prevent.
At TheWaterReport.com, we continue to expose these systemic weaknesses, highlighting where funding, policy, and transparency must intersect to secure America’s most vital resource: clean, safe water.
Two of the most concerning contaminants dominating water safety discussions today are PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and lead. Our ongoing investigations at TheWaterReport.com have traced how both pollutants continue to appear in drinking water systems—even decades after the dangers became known.
PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” resist natural breakdown and accumulate in the environment and human body. Initially used in firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, and industrial manufacturing, PFAS have now been detected in the blood of nearly all Americans. Our reports reveal that contamination sources often stem from military bases, manufacturing plants, and wastewater treatment outflows. Despite growing awareness, regulatory limits have lagged. The EPA’s newly proposed standards represent progress, but monitoring remains inconsistent, particularly in small or rural systems.
Lead contamination, meanwhile, is largely a product of aging service lines and plumbing materials. While the 1991 Lead and Copper Rule sought to reduce exposure, enforcement has varied widely. Cities like Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey, became symbols of failure—but our investigations show that similar risks persist in hundreds of smaller towns nationwide. Many municipalities still rely on corrosion control treatments rather than full lead line replacement due to cost.
The health implications of both contaminants are profound. PFAS exposure has been linked to cancer, immune suppression, thyroid disorders, and developmental issues, while lead remains a potent neurotoxin that can cause irreversible cognitive harm in children.
Through public record requests, data mapping, and interviews with residents, TheWaterReport.com exposes where contamination remains hidden in plain sight. By holding regulators and industries accountable, we aim to ensure that public health takes precedence over convenience and cost.
Investigations by TheWaterReport.com have uncovered numerous examples of municipal testing failures that placed residents at risk—often for years before contamination was publicly acknowledged. These cases reveal deep flaws in sampling protocols, data transparency, and regulatory follow-up.
In one midwestern city, our team found that water utility staff pre-flushed pipes before sampling, a practice that can artificially lower lead results. In another case, a Southern municipality delayed notifying residents for months after discovering elevated PFAS levels, citing “data verification” delays. Meanwhile, citizens continued consuming contaminated water.
One of the most alarming patterns is incomplete or selective testing. Some cities test only a fraction of their service areas, focusing on “low-risk” zones to maintain compliance statistics. This selective approach often excludes older neighborhoods—precisely where contamination is most likely to occur.
Even when violations are detected, public disclosure is inconsistent. Many residents learn of contamination only through independent media or nonprofit watchdogs. The WaterReport.com’s data analyses show that nearly one in five water utilities cited for quality violations failed to issue timely consumer notices, directly contravening EPA guidelines.
Our case studies also highlight understaffed and underfunded state agencies, which struggle to enforce testing rules or penalize noncompliance. Some utilities submit incomplete lab reports, while others rely on outdated analytical methods that fail to detect newer contaminants like PFAS or 1,4-dioxane.
Each investigation underscores a troubling truth: testing failures are rarely accidents—they are the result of systemic neglect, poor oversight, or willful misrepresentation. TheWaterReport.com continues to track these lapses, press for transparency, and advocate for stronger accountability frameworks. The goal is clear: no community should have to discover water contamination through crisis headlines when proper testing could have prevented it.