Environmental Issues > Water Main Page > All Water Documents

This June 2003 NRDC study of drinking water quality in 19 U.S. cities finds that pollution and deteriorating, out-of-date plumbing are sometimes delivering drinking water that might pose health risks to some residents -- and unless steps are taken now, tap water will get worse. The report issues grades to each municipal water system studied in three problem areas -- water quality and compliance, source water protection, and right-to-know compliance -- and outlines a plan for protecting the nation's drinking water supply.

OVERVIEW & QUICK REFERENCE [En Español]
Press Release: What's on Tap
Background: Limiting Clean Water Act Could Contaminate Drinking Water
FAQ: Tap Water Quality and Safety
Study Finds Safety of Drinking Water in U.S. Cities at Risk

FULL REPORT IN PDF
June 2003 report, excluding California
(1.2Mb Adobe Acrobat file)
October 2002 pre-release, California only
(876k Adobe Acrobat file)

Or See Individual Cities

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Links indicate sections available as individual webpages)
Executive Summary
Background (106k PDF)
Water Quality and Compliance (101k PDF)
Right-to-Know Reports (90k PDF)
Source Water Protection (79k PDF)
Common Tap Water Contaminants (161k PDF)
What's the Score? (84k PDF)
Tap Water at Risk (79k PDF)

City Summaries (in pdf format):
Albuquerque, NM | Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Manchester, NH | New Orleans, LA | Newark, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Washington, DC

City Summaries from the October 2002 California-only prerelease (in pdf format)
Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA

ADDITIONAL WEB RESOURCES
City-by-City Table of Links

EN ESPAÑOL
Comunicado de Prensa
Preguntas Frecuentes
Resumen Ejecutivo

Resumenes de los Informes Ciudades:
Albuquerque, NM | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA

last revised 6/11/2003