Water Quality Checker by ZIP
Built by Johnny Alto · free, no sign-up · reads EPA data
Your tap water comes from a public water system that reports to the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Enter your ZIP code to see which systems serve your area and whether they have recent reported violations, then match a certified filter to what you find. Nothing you type is stored.
Data comes from the EPA ECHO Safe Drinking Water service. Reporting can lag by a quarter or more, so recent problems may not appear yet, and the absence of a violation is not a guarantee of purity. Cross-check your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report and the EWG Tap Water Database.
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How to read your water system results
Every community is served by one or more public water systems, each identified by a PWS ID and required to report to the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. A violation on the record does not automatically mean your water is dangerous today, but it tells you where to look. Health-based violations, where a contaminant such as lead, nitrate, or a disinfection byproduct exceeded its safety limit, are the serious ones. Monitoring and reporting violations mean the system did not test or notify on schedule, which is a paperwork problem more than an exposure one, though a pattern of them is worth noting.
The single most useful document is your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report, also called a water quality report, which lists the actual contaminant levels detected. Pair that with the EWG Tap Water Database for a plain-language read on how those levels compare to health guidelines. Together they tell you not just whether a rule was broken, but what is actually in your water and at what concentration.
Matching a filter to the problem
The right filter depends entirely on the contaminant. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For the broadest reduction, including PFAS, nitrate, and many dissolved contaminants, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF 58 is the strongest option. Do not assume a basic taste-and-odor pitcher removes health contaminants; check the certification for the specific thing you are trying to remove, and change the cartridge on schedule, because a spent filter can be worse than none at all.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my tap water quality by ZIP code?
Enter your ZIP code above. The tool looks up the public water systems registered to your area in the EPA's Safe Drinking Water database and shows whether each has recent reported violations. For contaminant levels, cross-check your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report and the EWG Tap Water Database.
What is a Safe Drinking Water Act violation?
It is a recorded instance where a water system exceeded a limit for a contaminant, failed to treat or monitor properly, or did not notify customers as required. Health-based violations, where a contaminant exceeded a safety limit, are more serious than monitoring or reporting violations.
Does a water filter remove these contaminants?
It depends on the contaminant and the filter. Look for filters certified to NSF/ANSI standards for the specific contaminant you are concerned about, such as NSF 53 for lead and NSF 58 reverse osmosis for a broad range including PFAS. Match the filter to your water report.
Is a boil water notice serious?
A boil water advisory means bacteria or other pathogens may be present, so water should be boiled for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth until the utility lifts it. It is a precaution that should always be followed.
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This tool reports data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water database for general information only. It is not a health assessment, and reporting can lag, so it should not be relied on to confirm your water is safe. Always consult your utility's Consumer Confidence Report and public health authorities. Product links are to Amazon, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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