Why water quality makes headlines

The original news page centred on a headline from USA Today suggesting that several million Americans could be drinking unsafe water without knowing it. The claim is attributed to that newspaper, and the underlying figures were not reproduced in the archive.

Concern over tap water has grown in the United States after high-profile cases of contamination. Utilities test public supplies on a regular schedule and publish annual reports, but private wells are usually the owner’s responsibility.

What readers can do

• Read the annual water quality report from your supplier.
• Test a private well through a certified laboratory.
• Ask a plumber or local health office about household filters.
• Treat any product that claims to cure illness with caution.

For a real-world example, see our summary of a Michigan well water advisory, and for basics on acidity and alkalinity read pH levels and your water.