Data, Reports & Resources

NRDC is a leader and trusted source in environmental policy and research. 

From reports to issue briefs, we ensure accountability through peer review led by our Science Office, which provides data and scientific analysis that help shape and guide NRDC’s policies and positions. We also offer a range of other resources, such as 101 guides and consumer-focused scorecards to increase access to knowledge about how everyone can be a catalyst for change. 

Skip carousel items
A view of the cross-section of a cut water pipe

Getting the Lead Out: Removing Lead Pipes Would Yield Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in Health Benefits

Issue BriefUnited StatesErik D. Olson
Removing lead service lines could save the United States an estimated $786 billion from avoided health impacts over the next 35 years.
Bits of plastic waste float underwater

The Worst of the Worst: High-Priority Plastic Materials, Chemical Additives, and Products to Phase Out

Fact SheetUnited States, InternationalDr. Veena Singla
Two workers installing a battery in a vehicle in an assembly plant

Building Batteries Better: Doing the Best With Less

ReportUnited StatesJordan Brinn
Reducing the amount of mining needed through improvements in battery technology, second-life applications for vehicle batteries, and better recycling is key to reducing harms caused from battery supply chains.

Viewing 1 - 20 of 30

Active filters:

Remove all filters

Filter Results

Water Affordability Business Case Downloadable Tool

OverviewUnited StatesLarry Levine, Ed Osann
To help provide safe and affordable water and sanitation to everyone in their communities, this tool allows utilities to assess the business case for implementing a discount program for low-income customers.

Water Affordability Advocacy Toolkit

OverviewUnited StatesLarry Levine, Sam Whillans
NRDC and the National Consumer Law Center’s menu of state- and local-level policy solutions—our Water Affordability Advocacy Toolkit—aims to address access to essential water services for vulnerable communities.

Fighting for Safe Drinking Water in Flint

OverviewMichigan, Flint
Partnering with NRDC and ACLU, residents of Flint, Michigan took their local government to court in a battle for safe drinking water.

Lead Pipes Are Widespread and Used in Every State

SurveyUnited States, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Texas, MinnesotaErik D. Olson, Alexandra Stubblefield
An NRDC survey estimates that there are at least 12.8 million water pipes that are, or may be, lead, spread across the entire country. Use our map to find out about your state.

Fighting for Safe Drinking Water in Newark

OverviewUnited States, Newark, New Jersey
While Newark has made progress to address dangerous lead, the problem continues nationwide, with millions of lead pipes still delivering water to people’s homes.

Water Webinars 2020: Sharing Experiences Across the Americas

OverviewChile, Mexico, United States, CaliforniaAmanda Maxwell, Ed Osann, Tracy Quinn, Corinne Bell, Becky Hammer, Claire O'Connor, Joan Leary Matthews
NRDC and local partners are organizing a series of webinars about ensuring that more people and ecosystems are able to access clean water.

Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Centers

OverviewUnited StatesJoan Leary Matthews, Kristi Pullen Fedinick, Mae Wu, Erik D. Olson
NRDC has developed model state legislation that would require schools and child care centers to install filters on drinking water taps, conduct lead testing, and remediate problems.

Watered Down Justice

ReportUnited StatesKristi Pullen Fedinick
While the Safe Drinking Water Act guarantees all Americans access to clean, drinkable water, it hasn’t worked out that way in practice.

Lead in Newark’s Drinking Water

OverviewNew Jersey, Newark
According to the 2017 letter provided by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Newark Water Department has been instructed, and is required by federal law, to undertake the following actions in response to the lead contamination issue.

What's in Your Water? Flint and Beyond

ReportUnited States, Michigan, FlintErik D. Olson, Kristi Pullen Fedinick
The devastating lead contamination of the tap water in Flint, Michigan highlights potentially disastrous gaps in the provision of safe drinking water to all Americans—especially the most vulnerable.