Are you a lucky person who lives in one of the ten states with the best water? If yes, you are likely to enjoy healthy water that comes right out of your tap or from your private water well. Check out this list of the ten best states!
Ten States with the Best Water
- Washington
- Kansas
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Virginia
Washington State carefully protects its watersheds and utilizes advanced filtration technology to purify water before distribution to its residents. Strong community demand supports these and many other measures to maintain high standards. The state considers its water an outstanding national and state resource. In 2021, Washington adopted stricter standards on toxic PFAS chemicals to further improve water quality.
Ten States with the Worst Water
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Indiana
- Nevada
- Maryland
- Wisconsin
- Texas
- California
Arizona and some other Southern states struggle with very hard water which adds an unpleasant taste and smell to the water. Hard water can also clog a home’s pipes and appliances with mineral deposits. Some water districts in Arizona were also found to be providing water contaminated with toxic industrial chemicals referred to as “PFAS.” Other undesirable substances found in Arizona’s water included nitrates, arsenic and two radioactive substances, uranium and radium. The state’s older water systems may not be capable of removing some newer industrial chemicals.
New Mexico also struggles with an aging water system. Common water contaminants include arsenic, lead and chromium-6, the cancer-causing chemical that was exposed in the movie Erin Brockovich.
Alabama has the same problem with aging water infrastructure. PFAS have been detected in the state’s groundwater and surface water. Ash from power plants has contaminated groundwater with heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic. Exposure to these metals is associated with serious health problems like brain damage and developmental delays in children, high blood pressure, kidney damage and anemia.
Four Out of Ten Americans Are Not Happy with Their Water Quality
A 2024 survey by J.D. Power found that 41% of customers say they do not feel the water provided by their local utility is safe to drink without further filtering or treatment. In all areas that struggle with poor water quality, aging infrastructure, fast urban growth, federal and state water quality regulations, and workforce challenges increase the cost of providing pure water to customers.
Because of the Safe Drinking Water Act, municipal water systems must provide their customers with an annual water quality report, known as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). If your home is supplied with municipal water, you can ask for this report. It contains information about the quality and safety of your drinking water, including the results of testing for contaminants and any violations of health standards over the past year.
Well owners must monitor their own water quality. ETR Laboratories provides water testing for city and rural water systems plus thousands of private well owners across the country. To find out what’s in your well, choose from the most popular water tests. In just a few days, you can have accurate results and know what action you might need to take to improve the quality. Order your water test today!