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Clean Drinking Water

Unsafe or unreliable drinking water can put communities at risk and deepen existing health inequities. Contaminants like PFAS and lead can threaten public health, while harmful algae blooms can affect water quality and the communities that depend on it.

We’re interested in raising awareness of water quality challenges and highlighting efforts to address contaminants, improve water systems, and protect access to safe, reliable drinking water.

Access to Medicine

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Food Security

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FAQ

  • Clean drinking water means having reliable access to safe water that meets health standards and supports healthy communities.

  • Clean water is essential for preventing disease, supporting daily activities, and maintaining health. Reliable access to safe drinking water helps individuals and communities thrive.

  • PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are a group of chemicals that can persist in the environment and contaminate drinking water. Exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with a range of potential health effects.

  • Lead can enter drinking water through plumbing materials and can be especially harmful to children. Reducing exposure and identifying potential sources are important parts of protecting public health.

  • Harmful algae blooms occur when algae grow rapidly in bodies of water and produce conditions that can affect people, animals, and the environment. Some blooms can produce toxins and create water-quality concerns.

  • Aging infrastructure, contamination, water sources, system capacity, and available resources can all affect a community’s ability to maintain safe, reliable drinking water.

OurHealthEquity.org Our Health Equity: Issue Guide, addressed to state policymakers from the Domestic Policy Caucus, dated March 14, 2025, discussing problems of contaminated drinking water and access to nutritional food, with icons of a water drop with a line through it and a padlock with a fork and knife, and a call to action to learn more at OurHealthEquity.org.
Infographic about PFAS contamination and child care, showing the dangers of PFAS chemicals in the environment, especially for children, with statistics, quotes, and a no drinking water symbol.
VIEW ISSUE GUIDE
READ 340B CASE STUDY