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Report: Millions in U.S. at risk from deadly arsenic in drinking water
Written by Dennis Michael Lynch.
In partnership with
DON’T TRUST THE WATER
They waste so much time on BS in DC, maybe they should spend a little more time on what matters.
For Heaven’s sake, as the most sophisticated country in the world, how can we have toxic drinking water — a lot of people need to be fired. — DML
America’s Toxic Tap Water: A Silent Crisis Demands Action
The chilling map shown above, from Columbia University, unveils a deadly threat in America’s drinking water: arsenic, a naturally occurring poison seeping into groundwater, endangering millions. This silent crisis, exposed through 2017-2019 EPA data, reveals arsenic levels above 5 micrograms per liter (µg/L) in community water systems across the U.S., with rural and low-income communities hit hardest. It’s time for urgent action to safeguard our water and protect public health.
The problem is staggering.
Over two million Americans may be consuming arsenic-tainted water, with hotspots in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula (Oakland, Washtenaw, Ingham, Thumb counties), New York’s southern tier near Binghamton, Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh region, Tennessee’s eastern Appalachians, Utah’s Cache and Weber counties, Arizona’s Yuma area, California’s Central Valley, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and parts of Washington. Moderate risks (1.0–5.0 µg/L) span Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Idaho. Arsenic, leaching from soil and rock, is worsened by drought and climate change, concentrating toxins in shrinking water supplies.
The health toll is devastating.
Chronic arsenic exposure, even at low levels, fuels cancers of the skin, lung, bladder, kidney, and liver, alongside heart disease, diabetes, and neurological damage. Children face developmental delays, while pregnant women risk preterm births. Symptoms like skin lesions, keratosis, and “blackfoot disease”—a vascular condition causing gangrene—signal long-term poisoning. No one should face such risks from turning on a tap.
Solutions exist, but they’re patchwork.
At-home filters like reverse osmosis or activated alumina can reduce arsenic, though many popular brands fall short. Private well owners, serving 45.5 million Americans, must test and treat their water independently, a costly burden. Public water systems need advanced treatment, but small, underfunded utilities struggle. States like New Jersey and New Hampshire lead with strict 5 µg/L limits, while California explores tighter standards. Federally, the EPA’s 10 µg/L threshold, set in 2006, is outdated—groups like the Environmental Working Group push for 0.004 µg/L, citing evidence of harm at lower levels.
The EPA is reviewing its rules, but progress is slow.
Action is underway, yet insufficient. The EPA funds treatment upgrades through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and states like Minnesota promote well testing. In New Hampshire, WIC programs provide filters to pregnant women. Citizen science initiatives empower communities to monitor wells. But private wells remain unregulated, and public awareness lags. Small systems need more federal investment, and drought-driven contamination demands climate-focused strategies. This crisis requires bold steps: a federal MCL below 5 µg/L, robust funding for rural water systems, and national campaigns to educate well owners. Without swift intervention, millions will continue drinking poison. Clean water is a right, not a privilege—America must act now to ensure every tap runs safe.
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