Drinkable water is a vital resource that is often owned and maintained by local governments in the United States. To gain a better understanding of the current state of potable water quality, we at CivicPulse asked local elected officials to tell us how concerned they are about the quality of drinking water in their communities. The survey was conducted in partnership with Professor Manny Teodoro at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Professor David Switzer at the University of Missouri.
“Extremely aged and defective” water infrastructure, as an Independent vice chairperson from a large municipality (more than 8,682 residents) in Utah stated, is the norm for most of the country. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see 50-year-old pipes that are nearing the end of their lifespans. Yet semicentennial water pipes are young compared to some of America's existing infrastructure, with the same vice chairperson reporting that their community has, “pipes that are 100 years old.”
To better understand the extent to which we should be worried about the state of America’s potable drinking water, we asked local officials to tell us more about the concerns they have for their community’s water source. Nearly half (46%) of local policymakers are very or somewhat concerned about the quality of drinking water in their communities.
Nearly half (46%) of local policymakers are very or somewhat concerned about the quality of drinking water in their communities.
In addition to aging infrastructure, contaminants raised red flags for respondents. A Democratic council member from a large New Jersey municipality conveyed that they are, “particularly concerned about microplastics, which are not screened or treated for in our water supply.”
Equally as insidious as microplastics are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, aka "forever chemicals"), which the U.S Government Accountability Office called one of the biggest challenges to water since lead. Local leaders responding to our survey likewise expressed concern about the effects these forever chemicals have on their communities. As one Republican district supervisor from a large Arizona county explained, forever chemicals are, “difficult to detect and correct.”
Apprehension over potable water quality in local communities was voiced nearly equally by Republican (48%), Independent (45%), and Democratic (45%) policymakers (see Figure 1).
CivicPulse’s findings on this issue indicate a shift towards unity among elected officials as compared to the general public. While recurring surveys of the American public show that both Democrats and Republicans consistently list polluted drinking water as their top environmental concern, the degree to which they worry about drinking water quality has differed by more than 20 percentage points since 2001.
But the state of America’s water quality isn’t all doom and gloom. As a Democratic council member from a large municipality in California stated, “I am on the water board and I know we have excellent water quality here, we invest a great deal in it.”
In fact, investments in community water quality by local leaders reverberate across the country. A Republican trustee from a small town (less than 2,304 residents) in Michigan told us, “significant improvements have been made, and... monitoring and surveys continue.”
Some of these improvements even take worst-case scenarios into account. For example, a large municipality in Oregon has, “already added gradual rate changes in anticipation and initiation of our water infrastructure plan and needed updates. The health of our connection pipe, especially if there were to be [an earthquake-related natural disaster]” is integrated, according to a Democratic councillor.
Despite progress being made in some communities, much more is needed to ensure the safety and modernization of America’s potable water supply. Local policymakers representing smaller and poorer communities exhibited concern that improving water quality is cost prohibitive. An Independent council member from a small community (less than 2,304 residents) in Ohio shared, “it is so expensive to replace mains, upgrade water plants, etc. that small villages like ours have difficulty funding these projects.”
Even where federal or state assistance has occurred, upkeep costs can inhibit progress. Nearly two decades ago, a mid-sized town (between 2,304 and 8,682 residents) in Michigan installed a municipal sewer under state requirements. Today, that sewer is, according to an Independent trustee, “a financial burden to most, and has resulted in a number of families having to move because they can't afford to stay.”
Improving America’s water infrastructure must keep all communities in mind, not just those that can afford it. Fortunately, programs like the EPA’s grant to reduce contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities offers one pathway forward. Continuous efforts must be made to strive towards healthier and more equitable water infrastructure nationwide. If upgrades are not made, more communities will find themselves sympathizing with the Michigan Independent trustee who lamented, “everyone talks about the problem, but because the community is poor, nothing is done about it.”
Survey background
This research brief uses data from a nationally representative survey of local elected policymakers in U.S. townships, municipalities, and county governments serving communities of 1,000 or more. Elected policymakers include top elected officials (e.g., Mayor, County Executive) and governing board members (e.g., Council Member, County Legislator). The survey was fielded from October 2024 to November 2024. 671 local officials completed the survey.
Survey text
Which of the following best describes how you feel about the quality of drinking water in your community? Response options: Very concerned about water quality, somewhat concerned about water quality, not too concerned about water quality, not at all concerned about water quality
If you would like to add additional context you may do so below.
Press Contact
Victoria Starbuck
Senior Research and Communications Associate
Additional Resources
For access to the underlying data for this brief, email us at info@civicpulse.org.