The reading room
Guides to understanding your drinking water
Public records describe a water system, not the water at your own faucet. These guides help you interpret the records, confirm your supplier, decide when testing is useful, and evaluate treatment claims.
In focus7Guides for your next step
Public records. Clearer context.
How to read UCMR 5 results
Understand detections, reporting levels, sampling locations, and complete-set averages.
Read the guideHow to find your Consumer Confidence Report
Confirm your utility and locate its annual local drinking-water report.
Read the guideHow to choose a PFAS water filter
Verify contaminant-specific certification claims before buying.
Read the guideHow to choose a lead water filter
Choose and maintain certified point-of-use treatment.
Read the guideHow to test your tap water
Find a certified laboratory and collect a useful sample.
Read the guideWater reports twice a year from 2027
Which utilities send a second report each December, and what it adds.
Read the guidePFOA and PFOS limits: 2029 and the 2031 proposal
What EPA’s proposed exemptions would change, and what stays the same.
Read the guide