March 22, 2026, sees the return of the UNICEF- and UN-led campaign, World Water Day.
This year's campaign focuses on water as an enabler of gender equality, with the tagline,
"Where water flows, equality grows."
That focus on equality makes this the perfect time to reflect on clean water access, which is still not guaranteed for everyone. Just one example is that aging infrastructure and contamination risks can lead to tap water in people's homes that's not as clean as it looks.
But there are steps you can take to ensure the water in your home is safe and healthy to drink.
What "Clean Water" Really Means
When you turn on the faucet and clear, refreshing water pours out, it's easy to assume that your water is clean and safe. But consider this: water is considered "clean" only if it meets | standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which took effect in 1974 and was amended in 1996 to further protect public health.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that at least 92% of people in the U.S. have access to clean, safe water. However, that still means there's a significant portion of the population without access to clean water.
For water to be considered clean, it must contain:
- Low or zero levels of particular microorganisms, such as the pneumonia-causing
Legionella - Zero or negligible levels of disinfection byproducts
- Low levels of disinfectants like chlorine
- Low levels of heavy metals and other inorganic chemicals
- Zero or negligible levels of organic chemicals, such as vinyl chloride, which is linked to
cancer - Extremely low levels of PFAs (forever chemicals)
- No radioactive particles
It can be alarming to learn that nearly a tenth of the public water supply may contain these substances. The percentage could be even higher for homes that rely on well water or rainwater collection
Why Clean Water Access Isn't a Given
These potentially dangerous contaminants can be present in drinking water due to erosion of natural deposits near groundwater sources or agricultural runoff containing nitrates from fertilizers and other chemicals. Lakes and aquifers near industrial settings may be affected by pollution from factories and other facilities.
Aging infrastructure can also cause problems. As pipes erode, metals and other substances leach into the water, meaning drinking water is not necessarily as clean as it's reported to be. Even when the surrounding infrastructure is up to standard, pipes and other parts of plumbing systems inside older buildings may still make water unsafe. Disinfectants can also interact with substances in water pipes, creating additional sources of contamination.
In rural areas, access to clean water may be even more challenging if water suppliers are still updating the infrastructure. Local authorities may issue a boil water advisory if the water is suspected of harboring germs that can be killed by high levels of heat. In rare cases, there may be a "do not drink" or "do not use" advisory when water has been found to have high levels of contaminants.
What You Can Do to Ensure Safe Drinking Water
While you can rarely control where your water comes from, there are ways to check that it's safe to drink. Your water supplier should be able to provide you with a report on the quality and safety of your local water. There is also water safety data available on the EPA website, collated from over 900 state, tribal, and federal agencies, as well as other organizations. Learning to read these reports can help you better understand exactly what's in your water.
To ensure the water in your home is safe to drink, consider investing in a home filtration system. This mitigates the risks caused by aging pipes and other contaminant sources.
Water filtration systems have become so versatile that you can buy one small enough for a one-person apartment or innovative enough to handle a family home's water supply. Even some compact countertop water coolers now come with integrated advanced filtration.
You can also do your part to reduce the volume of contaminants within the overall water supply. Avoid plastics like disposable, single-use water bottles, as these contribute to the rise in microplastics. You could also support your local non-profits involved in water safety.
Initiatives like litter removal from local lakes and rivers can help promote a deeper understanding of safe drinking water and its importance.
As World Water Day 2026 approaches, it's important to understand that, as a nation, we don't yet have full and equal access to clean water. At-home filtration is one way that families can increase confidence in their water supply. Learn more about filtration options that provide your home with safe drinking water.
