Clean water is a basic expectation in the United States, yet millions of Americans still live in areas with unsafe or unreliable drinking water. High-profile crises like Flint’s lead disaster grabbed national attention, but many other cities continue to struggle with contamination that stems from aging infrastructure, poor regulation, political conflict, or environmental injustice.

Clean, safe drinking water is foundational to public health, economic development, and environmental justice. Yet in the United States, many states struggle with aging infrastructure, contamination, underfunded systems, and natural challenges.

As reported by The Seattle Times, PFAS has been identified in 866 private drinking water wells.