U.S. Water Problems by Region: Common Contaminants & Solutions
Curious about U.S. water problems by region? Water quality isn’t just a national issue—it’s a local one.
The type of contaminants and challenges homeowners face in their drinking water vary significantly depending on their region and whether they are on city water or their own private well water.
From hard water buildup in the Midwest to saltwater intrusion on the coasts, understanding these regional water problems is the first step toward finding the proper filtration and treatment solutions.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common water quality issues by U.S. region, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and explain what they mean for your home’s water safety.
Whether you rely on city water or a private well, knowing what’s in your water can help you take the proper steps to ensure clean, safe drinking water for your family. Here is a breakdown of U.S. water problems by region.
I. West Coast Water Problems
- Hardness: Predominantly in California; causes scale buildup, reducing home efficiency.
- Nitrates: Resulting from fertilizer runoff; poses health risks, especially to infants.
- Acidity: In areas like Portland's Bull Run watershed, corrosive water affects plumbing.
- Drought: Reduces water tables, increasing contaminant concentration.
- Saltwater Intrusion: Proximity to the ocean increases the risk of saltwater mixing with freshwater sources.
- Wildfire Contamination: Recent wildfires have increased sediment and ash runoff into water supplies, complicating treatment processes.
II. Mountain Region Water Problems
- Hardness: Due to dissolved minerals like granite and limestone.
- Arsenic: Naturally occurring; poses health risks upon ingestion.
- Acidity: Corrosive water affecting plumbing and fixtures.
- Hydrogen Sulfide: Causes a “rotten egg” odor; while not harmful, it affects water's taste and smell.
- Wildfire Contamination: Increased frequency of wildfires contributes to water quality degradation through ash and sediment runoff.
III. Midwest Water Problems
- Hardness: Leads to scale buildup, reducing home efficiency.
- Nitrates: From extensive agriculture; health risks for infants and unborn babies.
- Chlorine: Used by cities for disinfection; can cause strong, unpleasant odors.
- Iron: Discolors water, stains fixtures and appliances, and affects taste.
- Hydrogen Sulfide: Produces foul “rotten egg” odors.
- Agricultural Runoff: High fertilizers and pesticides from farming activities lead to nutrient pollution, causing algal blooms and dead zones in water bodies.
- PFAS (Forever Chemicals): Found in Northeast, Great Lakes, and some Midwest states, particularly near military bases, industrial areas, and airports. These chemicals can contaminate drinking water and have been linked to health risks like cancer and hormone disruption.
IV. Great Lakes Region Water Problems
- Hardness: Varies within the region; causes scale buildup.
- Acidity: Corrosive water affecting plumbing and fixtures.
- Tannins: Organic matter that discolors water and affects taste.
- Iron: Discolors water, stains fixtures, and appliances, and affects taste.
- Sulfur: Creates foul “rotten egg” odors.
- Lead: Health risks from ingestion; notable in older infrastructures.
- Harmful Algal Blooms: Nutrient runoff, particularly phosphorus, leads to algal blooms in Lake Erie, affecting water quality and aquatic life.
- PFAS (Forever Chemicals): Found in Northeast, Great Lakes, and some Midwest states, particularly near military bases, industrial areas, and airports. These chemicals can contaminate drinking water and have been linked to health risks like cancer and hormone disruption.
V. Northeast Water Problems
- Hardness: Varies by location; causes scale buildup.
- Arsenic: Naturally occurring; health risks upon ingestion.
- Acidity: Corrosive water affecting plumbing and fixtures.
- Chlorine: Used by cities for disinfection, it can cause intense, unpleasant odors.
- Iron: Discolors water, stains fixtures and appliances, and affects taste.
- Saltwater Intrusion: Proximity to the ocean increases the risk of saltwater mixing with freshwater sources.
- Lead: Health risks from ingestion; prevalent in older infrastructures.
- Aging Infrastructure: Older cities face challenges with outdated water systems, leading to contamination issues such as lead.
- Radon: A radioactive gas that can dissolve into well water, particularly in New Hampshire, Maine, and Pennsylvania. It poses a lung cancer risk when released into indoor air during showering or cooking.
- PFAS (Forever Chemicals): Found in Northeast, Great Lakes, and some Midwest states, particularly near military bases, industrial areas, and airports. These chemicals can contaminate drinking water and have been linked to health risks like cancer and hormone disruption.
VI. Southeast Water Problems
- Hardness: Causes scale buildup, reducing home efficiency.
- Tannins: Organic matter that discolors water and affects taste.
- Iron: Discolors water, stains fixtures, and appliances, and affects taste.
- Lead: Health risks from ingestion.
- Saltwater Intrusion: Proximity to the ocean increases the risk of saltwater mixing with freshwater sources.
- Industrial Pollution: Historical and ongoing industrial activities contaminate water with chemicals and heavy metals.
VII. Hawaii Water Problems
- Cesspool Pollution: Hawaii has many cesspools that discharge untreated wastewater, leading to groundwater and coastal water contamination, which can harm coral reefs and marine life.
- Fuel Contamination: Incidents like the Red Hill water crisis, where fuel leaked into the freshwater aquifer, have raised concerns about drinking water safety.
- Brown Water Events: Heavy rainfall can lead to runoff that causes brown water advisories, indicating potential contamination with pathogens and debris.
VII. Alaska Water Problems
- Arsenic: Naturally occurring in groundwater, leading to health risks over long-term exposure.
- Bacteria and Viruses: Many remote communities rely on untreated surface water, increasing risks of microbial contamination.
- Heavy Metals: High levels of iron and manganese cause discoloration and unpleasant taste.
- Permafrost Thawing: Climate change is leading to the thawing of permafrost, which releases contaminants into groundwater supplies.
- Limited Infrastructure: Many rural communities lack centralized water treatment facilities, relying on small-scale or household-level filtration systems.
- Fuel and Chemical Spills: Historical contamination from military and industrial activities affects groundwater quality in some areas.
VIII. Puerto Rico Water Problems
- Industrial Contamination: Historical industrial activities have led to contaminants like industrial solvents in water sources.
- Aging Infrastructure: Outdated water treatment and distribution systems contribute to water quality issues, including potential exposure to contaminants.
- Hurricane & Natural Disaster Impacts: Frequent hurricanes disrupt water treatment facilities, leading to contamination and challenges in maintaining water quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About U.S. Water Problems
1. What are the most common U.S. water problems by region?
The most common water problems vary by region but include hardness, nitrates, iron, lead, chlorine, arsenic, saltwater intrusion, hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg odor), and industrial contamination.
2. How can I determine what contaminants are in my local water?
You can check your city's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), published annually, or use the EPA’s “How’s My Waterway” tool. If you have a private well, you should test your water regularly using a certified lab.
3. Why does water hardness vary so much across different U.S. regions?
Water hardness depends on the minerals naturally present in the ground. Areas with limestone or granite bedrock tend to have more challenging water due to high calcium and magnesium levels, while regions with softer geology have naturally softer water.
4. How does saltwater intrusion affect drinking water?
Saltwater intrusion occurs when ocean water seeps into freshwater sources, typically in coastal areas. It can make water taste salty and corrode plumbing and appliances over time.
5. What causes some water supplies' “rotten egg” smell?
This odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide gas, which occurs naturally in groundwater. It’s more common in the Midwest and Mountain regions and can be treated with aeration or specialized filtration systems.
6. Are nitrates in drinking water dangerous?
High nitrate levels—often from fertilizer runoff and agricultural pollution—can be dangerous, particularly for infants and pregnant women. High exposure can lead to blue baby syndrome, which affects oxygen levels in the blood.
7. How do wildfires affect water quality?
Wildfires increase sediment, ash, and chemical runoff into lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. This can introduce carcinogenic compounds like benzene, making water treatment more challenging, especially in wildfire-prone states like California and Colorado.
8. What’s the best way to treat contaminated water at home?
The best treatment depends on your specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis systems remove lead, arsenic, and nitrates; water softeners tackle hardness; activated carbon filters remove chlorine and chemicals; and UV purification eliminates bacteria and viruses.
Additional Resources: Learn More About U.S. Water Quality
Understanding water quality issues in your region is essential for protecting your health and home. Explore these links to learn more about common water contaminants, nationwide water quality trends, and how different regions are affected:
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- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project: Provides comprehensive data on water quality across various U.S. regions.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Water Quality Data: Offers access to national water quality monitoring data.
- USGS – Surface-Water Quality and Ecology: Discusses research on water quality in rivers and streams, covering topics like nonpoint pollution and aquatic ecosystem vulnerability.
- EPA – Water Topics: Covers various aspects of water quality, including drinking water, monitoring, and infrastructure resilience.
- USGS – Water-Quality Changes in the Nation's Streams and Rivers: Presents results from extensive assessments of water-quality changes in U.S. streams and rivers.
- USGS – Common Water Issues: Provides insights into regional water availability assessments and common water-quality benchmarks.
