{"id":31394,"date":"2021-03-23T02:07:59","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T05:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=31394"},"modified":"2021-05-13T16:13:21","modified_gmt":"2021-05-13T19:13:21","slug":"best-cities-for-water-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/studies\/best-cities-for-water-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"2021&#8217;s Best Cities for Water Quality"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>CORRECTION:<\/strong> <em>LawnStarter discovered an error in the formula used to calculate the rankings for our Best Cities for Water Quality report and updated the city rankings, highlights and lowlights, and the methodology sections of this report on April 1.<\/em><\/p>    <p>What does it take to live a good life? Happiness, liberty, and water.<\/p>    <p>Humans can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/how-many-days-can-you-survive-without-water-2014-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">last up to 21 days without food<\/a> but barely make it to Day 3 without H<sub>2<\/sub>O. That\u2019s because our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thoughtco.com\/how-much-of-your-body-is-water-609406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bodies are made up of up to 75% water<\/a>. Our food supply, schools, homes, and businesses also depend on a fresh supply of this life-giving liquid.<\/p>    <p>But water quality varies across America\u2019s cities. Do you know how fresh your water comes out of the tap compared with other consumers\u2019?<\/p>    <p>LawnStarter ranked the Best Cities for Water Quality by comparing the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on seven key factors \u2014 from consumers\u2019 overall satisfaction with their water to the number of water quality violations to the share of homes lacking basic plumbing.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Check out our ranking below, followed by some highlights, lowlights, and expert insights.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Table of Contents<\/h3>    <ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"#rankings\">City Rankings<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#highlights\">Highlights and Lowlights<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#experts\">Ask the Experts<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#methodology\">Methodology<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#matters\">Why This Study Matters<\/a><\/li><\/ol>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rankings\">City Rankings&nbsp;<\/h2>    <p>See how each city fared in our ranking:<\/p>   \n<table id=\"tablepress-128\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-128\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">OVERALL RANK<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">City<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Overall Score<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">Consumer Satisfaction Rank<\/th><th class=\"column-5\">Compliance Rank<\/th><th class=\"column-6\">Infrastructure Vulnerability Rank<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">1<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Cary, NC<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">88.339<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">2<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Winston-Salem, NC<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">85.504<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">2<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">3<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">126<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Yonkers, NY<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">84.902<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">4<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bellevue, WA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">84.757<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">6<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">6<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">5<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Clarksville, TN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">84.611<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">11<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">20<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">6<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Arlington, VA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">84.395<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">18<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">17<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">7<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Murfreesboro, TN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">84.306<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">8<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sioux Falls, SD<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.985<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">19<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">18<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">North Las Vegas, NV<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.873<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">10<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Frisco, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.685<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">1<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">1<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">151<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">11<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Spokane, WA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.533<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">14<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">11<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-13\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">12<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Paterson, NJ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.479<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">59<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-14\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">13<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Grand Rapids, MI<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.172<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">28<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">30<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-15\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">14<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Paradise, NV<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.119<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-16\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">14<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Spring Valley, NV<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.119<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-17\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">14<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sunrise Manor, NV<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.119<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-18\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">14<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Enterprise, NV<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.119<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-19\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">18<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Midland, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">83.095<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">68<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-20\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">19<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Rancho Cucamonga, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">82.851<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">4<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">4<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">109<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-21\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">20<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Huntsville, AL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">82.754<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">20<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">19<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-22\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">21<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Laredo, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">82.728<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">69<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-23\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">22<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">St. Paul, MN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">81.777<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">21<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">21<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-24\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">23<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Cape Coral, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">81.718<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">88<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-25\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">24<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Little Rock, AR<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">81.517<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">12<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">10<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">104<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-26\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">25<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Springfield, MA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">81.297<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">8<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">13<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">130<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-27\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">26<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Salem, OR<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">81.248<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">15<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">15<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-28\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">27<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Columbus, OH<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">81.029<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">22<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">23<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-29\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">28<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">St. Petersburg, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">80.526<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">27<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">26<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-30\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">29<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Aurora, CO<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">79.975<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">16<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">8<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">96<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-31\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">30<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Boston, MA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">79.485<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">26<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">27<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-32\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">31<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Glendale, AZ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">79.238<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-33\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">32<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Dayton, OH<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">79.127<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">42<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">43<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-34\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">33<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Thornton, CO<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">78.589<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-35\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">34<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Overland Park, KS<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">78.509<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">7<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">7<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">147<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-36\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">35<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Metairie, LA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">78.489<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-37\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">36<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Naperville, IL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">78.22<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">3<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">2<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">180<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-38\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">37<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Minneapolis, MN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">78.2<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">44<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">44<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-39\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">38<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Seattle, WA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">78.089<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">36<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">35<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-40\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">39<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">San Bernardino, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.996<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">109<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-41\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">40<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Ontario, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.995<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">109<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-42\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">41<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Charlotte, NC<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.763<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">33<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">36<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-43\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">42<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Moreno Valley, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.69<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">119<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-44\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">43<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Corona, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.667<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">119<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-45\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">44<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Hollywood, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.629<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">115<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-46\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">45<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Miramar, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.613<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">115<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-47\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">46<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">McKinney, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.521<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">17<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">16<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">137<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-48\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">47<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Hialeah, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.495<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">106<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-49\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">48<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Pembroke Pines, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.348<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">115<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-50\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">49<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Peoria, AZ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.26<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">45<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">51<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">73<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-51\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">50<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Springfield, MO<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.227<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">63<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">54<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-52\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">51<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Raleigh, NC<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.1<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">30<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">28<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-53\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">52<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fort Collins, CO<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.086<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">34<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">29<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">89<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-54\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">52<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Omaha, NE<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.086<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">46<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">46<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">78<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-55\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">54<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Gilbert, AZ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">77.039<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-56\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">55<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Lincoln, NE<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">76.943<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">50<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">52<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-57\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">56<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Lexington, KY<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">76.746<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">64<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">62<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-58\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">57<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Richmond, VA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">76.614<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">25<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">25<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">105<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-59\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">58<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Vancouver, WA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">76.538<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">41<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">45<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">79<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-60\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">59<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Eugene, OR<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">76.513<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">37<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">32<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">92<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-61\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">60<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Tacoma, WA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">76.386<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">95<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">87<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">52<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-62\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">61<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Wichita, KS<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">76.265<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">58<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">57<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-63\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">62<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fremont, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">76.196<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">10<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">12<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">168<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-64\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">63<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Augusta, GA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">76.086<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">57<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">56<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">48<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-65\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">64<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Madison, WI<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.653<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">47<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">41<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-66\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">65<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Portland, OR<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.559<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">43<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">40<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-67\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">66<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Alexandria, VA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.492<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">54<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">47<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">74<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-68\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">67<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Arlington, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.449<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">13<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">14<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">172<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-69\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">68<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Nashville, TN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.436<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">85<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">80<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-70\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">69<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Louisville, KY<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.377<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">52<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">49<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">77<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-71\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">70<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Olathe, KS<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.17<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">147<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-72\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">71<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Boise City, ID<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.111<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">31<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">34<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-73\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">72<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Colorado Springs, CO<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.057<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">66<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">65<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-74\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">73<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Escondido, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.008<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">138<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-75\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">73<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Chula Vista, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.008<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">138<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-76\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">75<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oceanside, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">75.005<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">138<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-77\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">76<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Elk Grove, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">74.997<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">142<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-78\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">77<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">San Antonio, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">74.92<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">107<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">104<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">55<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-79\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">78<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Tulsa, OK<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">74.673<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">67<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">64<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-80\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">79<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Atlanta, GA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">74.63<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">105<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">105<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-81\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">80<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Scottsdale, AZ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">74.466<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">55<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">61<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-82\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">81<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Lakewood, CO<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">74.334<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">149<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-83\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">82<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Des Moines, IA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">74.199<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">76<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">79<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">24<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-84\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">83<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Chesapeake, VA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.882<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">131<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-85\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">84<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">New York, NY<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">70.543<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">100<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">102<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">72<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-86\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">84<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Mesquite, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.864<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">153<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-87\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">85<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Greensboro, NC<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.731<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">53<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">53<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">97<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-88\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">86<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Anchorage, AK<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.684<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">5<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">5<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">N\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-89\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">87<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Durham, NC<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.643<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">40<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">37<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">57<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-90\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">88<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Garland, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.597<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">156<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-91\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">89<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Columbus, GA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.589<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">56<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">48<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">125<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-92\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">90<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Tampa, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.327<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">83<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">75<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-93\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">91<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Hayward, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.277<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">23<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">24<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">168<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-94\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">92<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Reno, NV<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.253<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">29<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">33<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">174<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-95\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">93<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Birmingham, AL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.188<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">59<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">58<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">98<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-96\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">94<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Milwaukee, WI<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.135<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">73<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">69<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">86<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-97\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">95<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Pasadena, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.074<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">163<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-98\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">96<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Pasadena, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">73.013<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">9<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">9<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">191<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-99\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">97<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Rochester, NY<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.954<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">96<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">90<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">53<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-100\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">98<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Irving, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.876<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">164<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-101\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">99<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Baton Rouge, LA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.7<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">72<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">70<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">93<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-102\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">100<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Henderson, NV<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.685<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">99<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">111<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-103\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">101<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Grand Prairie, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.632<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">166<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-104\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">102<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Salt Lake City, UT<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.572<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">70<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">67<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">94<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-105\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">103<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fort Wayne, IN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.443<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">98<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">101<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-106\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">104<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Honolulu, HI<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.439<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">69<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">68<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">123<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-107\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">105<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oxnard, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.413<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">49<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">84<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">162<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-108\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">106<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Killeen, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.338<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">167<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-109\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">107<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">St. Louis, MO<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.105<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">65<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">66<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">122<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-110\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">108<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Lubbock, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">72.098<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">87<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">97<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">75<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-111\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">109<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Cincinnati, OH<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">71.996<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">75<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">73<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-112\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">110<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Buffalo, NY<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">71.941<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">24<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">22<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">173<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-113\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">111<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Tallahassee, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">71.516<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">82<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">82<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">83<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-114\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">112<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oakland, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">71.283<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">38<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">39<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">168<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-115\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">113<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Austin, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">71.084<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">81<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">78<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">84<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-116\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">114<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Tempe, AZ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">70.787<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">104<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">103<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-117\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">115<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Santa Rosa, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">70.707<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">79<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">89<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">132<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-118\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">116<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Garden Grove, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">70.644<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">176<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-119\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">118<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Mesa, AZ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">70.539<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">117<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">125<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-120\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">119<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Denver, CO<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">70.494<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">48<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">50<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">135<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-121\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">120<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Virginia Beach, VA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">70.113<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">60<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">55<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">136<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-122\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">121<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Syracuse, NY<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">69.966<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">118<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">116<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-123\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">122<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Kansas City, MO<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">69.798<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">84<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">76<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">133<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-124\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">123<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Miami, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">69.525<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">97<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">94<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">106<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-125\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">124<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Baltimore, MD<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">69.277<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">134<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">134<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">82<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-126\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">125<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Worcester, MA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">69.247<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">111<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">93<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">71<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-127\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">126<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Plano, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">69.084<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">74<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">81<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">151<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-128\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">127<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oklahoma City, OK<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">69.054<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">39<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">42<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">182<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-129\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">128<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Cleveland, OH<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.884<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">93<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">85<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">129<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-130\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">129<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Knoxville, TN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.852<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">121<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">123<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-131\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">130<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fort Lauderdale, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.667<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">102<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">109<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">115<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-132\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">131<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">McAllen, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.651<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">90<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">96<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">161<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-133\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">131<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Montgomery, AL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.651<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">120<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">119<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-134\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">133<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Orlando, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.578<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">116<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">115<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">31<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-135\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">134<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sacramento, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.561<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">88<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">88<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">142<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-136\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">135<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Long Beach, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.456<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">32<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">31<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">191<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-137\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">136<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Dallas, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.38<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">78<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">77<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">155<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-138\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">137<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Washington, DC<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.378<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">106<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">106<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">113<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-139\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">138<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Las Vegas, NV<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.373<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">130<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">131<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-140\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">139<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Mobile, AL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.313<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">94<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">86<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">145<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-141\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">140<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">El Paso, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.155<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">122<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">127<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-142\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">141<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Port St. Lucie, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.139<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">124<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">120<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">70<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-143\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">142<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Joliet, IL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.13<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">181<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-144\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">143<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Santa Clarita, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">68.107<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">35<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">38<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">191<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-145\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">144<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Orange, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">67.768<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">185<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-146\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">145<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fullerton, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">67.764<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">185<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-147\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">146<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Philadelphia, PA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">67.744<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">113<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">112<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-148\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">147<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fontana, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">67.64<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">112<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">121<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">109<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-149\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">148<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Aurora, IL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">67.413<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">51<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">60<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">183<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-150\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">149<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">San Jose, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">67.405<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">91<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">95<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">157<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-151\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">150<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Jackson, MS<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">67.289<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">80<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">91<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">127<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-152\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">151<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Memphis, TN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">67.111<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">77<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">71<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">171<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-153\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">152<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Pomona, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">66.702<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">191<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-154\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">153<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Lancaster, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">66.688<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">191<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-155\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">154<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Irvine, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">66.47<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">61<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">63<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">185<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-156\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">155<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Chattanooga, TN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">66.243<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">123<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">122<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">91<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-157\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">156<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Torrance, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">66.224<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">191<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-158\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">157<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Anaheim, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">65.807<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">89<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">98<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">176<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-159\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">158<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Providence, RI<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">65.645<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">137<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">135<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-160\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">159<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Phoenix, AZ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">65.559<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">129<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">132<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-161\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">160<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Savannah, GA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">65.555<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">101<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">100<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">160<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-162\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">161<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Chandler, AZ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">65.484<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">108<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">110<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-163\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">162<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Kansas City, KS<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">65.372<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">68<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">74<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">189<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-164\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">163<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Indianapolis, IN<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">65.307<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">114<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">113<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">76<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-165\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">164<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sunnyvale, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">65.112<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">110<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">108<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">157<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-166\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">165<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Amarillo, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64.815<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">135<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">137<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-167\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">166<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">San Diego, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64.657<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">119<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">117<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">138<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-168\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">167<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Riverside, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64.435<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">133<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">133<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">119<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-169\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">168<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Modesto, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64.285<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">128<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">130<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">128<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-170\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">169<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Glendale, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">63.565<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">86<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">83<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">191<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-171\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">170<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Macon, GA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">63.431<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">139<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">140<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">58<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-172\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">171<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Houston, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">63.181<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">127<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">126<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">150<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-173\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">172<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">San Francisco, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">62.945<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">92<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">92<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">190<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-174\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">173<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Rockford, IL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">62.752<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">142<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">142<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-175\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">174<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Salinas, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">62.687<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">135<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">137<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">114<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-176\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">175<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Detroit, MI<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">62.641<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">115<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">114<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">179<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-177\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">176<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Norfolk, VA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">62.598<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">132<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">124<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">146<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-178\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">177<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Santa Ana, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">62.351<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">103<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">99<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">185<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-179\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">178<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Pittsburgh, PA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">61.729<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">131<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">129<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">159<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-180\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">179<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Chicago, IL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">61.417<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">109<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">107<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">184<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-181\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">180<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Huntington Beach, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">61.199<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">125<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">118<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">176<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-182\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">181<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Jacksonville, FL<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">61.071<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">140<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">139<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">41<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-183\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">182<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fort Worth, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">61.033<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">126<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">128<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">175<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-184\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">183<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">New Orleans, LA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">59.877<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">147<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">147<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">99<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-185\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">184<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fayetteville, NC<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">59.56<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">148<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">148<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-186\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">185<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Newark, NJ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">59.39<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">146<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">145<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">87<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-187\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">186<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Newport News, VA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">59.018<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">143<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">143<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">144<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-188\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">187<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Jersey City, NJ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">58.654<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">145<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">146<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">134<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-189\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">188<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Brownsville, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">58.14<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">149<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">149<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">81<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-190\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">189<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bakersfield, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">58.079<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">144<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">141<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">154<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-191\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">190<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Corpus Christi, TX<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">57.682<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">151<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">151<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">49<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-192\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">191<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Toledo, OH<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">57.037<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">152<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">152<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">42<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-193\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">192<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Stockton, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">56.512<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">150<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">150<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">124<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-194\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">193<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Los Angeles, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">55.621<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">138<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">136<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">191<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-195\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">194<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Tucson, AZ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">55.424<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">71<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">72<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-196\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">195<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Palmdale, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">54.674<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">141<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">144<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">191<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-197\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">196<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Albuquerque, NM<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">54.593<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">62<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">59<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-198\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">197<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Akron, OH<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">53.459<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">154<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">154<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">108<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-199\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">198<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Shreveport, LA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">50.372<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">156<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">155<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">85<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-200\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">199<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fresno, CA<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">50.192<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">153<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">153<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">165<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-201\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">200<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bridgeport, CT<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">49.601<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">155<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">156<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">43<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-128 from cache -->    <div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"1151\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rsz_best-cities-for-water-quality-v2-646x1151.png\" alt=\"Infographic comparing the best cities for water quality\" class=\"wp-image-31642\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rsz_best-cities-for-water-quality-v2-646x1151.png 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rsz_best-cities-for-water-quality-v2-168x300.png 168w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rsz_best-cities-for-water-quality-v2-84x150.png 84w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rsz_best-cities-for-water-quality-v2-768x1368.png 768w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rsz_best-cities-for-water-quality-v2.png 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"334196f8-1b6d-4bdb-94ff-dd50a3022494\" data-type=\"interactive\"><\/div><script>!function(e,t,s,i){var n=\"InfogramEmbeds\",o=e.getElementsByTagName(\"script\"),d=o[0],r=\/^http:\/.test(e.location)?\"http:\":\"https:\";if(\/^\\\/{2}\/.test(i)&&(i=r+i),window[n]&&window[n].initialized)window[n].process&&window[n].process();else if(!e.getElementById(s)){var a=e.createElement(\"script\");a.async=1,a.id=s,a.src=i,d.parentNode.insertBefore(a,d)}}(document,0,\"infogram-async\",\"\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"highlights\">Highlights and Lowlights<\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crisp and Clear in North Carolina<\/h3>    <p>While some Tar Heel cities rank middle-of-the-pack on water quality, two landed in the top spots on our list.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>North Carolina also boasts some of the most improved cities with large decreases in water quality violations between 2015 and 2020.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>It\u2019s no wonder the state has improved so drastically \u2014 in 2018 North Carolina embarked on an <a href=\"https:\/\/today.duke.edu\/2018\/08\/duke-expert-helps-spearhead-states-new-water-testing-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aggressive water quality testing and improvement program<\/a>. Clearly the state\u2019s efforts have paid off, and the water is crisper and clearer in North Carolina.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bigger Isn\u2019t Always Better&nbsp;<\/h3>    <p>Some of America\u2019s biggest cities \u2014 including Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Los Angeles \u2014 share one thing in common: They\u2019re among the bottom 30 cities in our water quality ranking.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>What\u2019s dragging down these cities on water quality? They all performed poorly on infrastructure vulnerability \u2014 with the exception of New Orleans (just slightly above average).&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Their lackluster performance also tracks with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/assets\/gao-16-785.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trend<\/a> uncovered by the U.S. Government Accountability Office: In recent years, the largest U.S. cities have experienced a population decline, resulting in fewer taxpayers to pay for water infrastructure improvements, maintenance, and repairs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Clearly, going big comes with a price \u2014 but change may be a comin\u2019, considering the Biden administration\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.circleofblue.org\/2021\/world\/in-broad-strokes-biden-infrastructure-plan-sketches-a-future-for-federal-water-spending\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$111 billion proposed plan<\/a> to improve America\u2019s water infrastructure systems.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Water in the Desert \u2014 or Not<\/h3>    <p>Despite ranking middle of the pack on consumer satisfaction, Arizona cities consistently have some of the highest numbers of water quality violations in the country. Tucson takes the bottom spot in this category with tens of thousands of historical violations as of Q4 2020. Cities like Chandler and Peoria aren\u2019t far behind with many thousands of violations.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>What\u2019s behind this bad water in the Grand Canyon State? With a growing population, a draining aquifer, a booming agriculture industry, and competition from neighboring states, to say that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phoenixnewtimes.com\/news\/water-drought-arizona-southwest-farmers-groundwater-cap-mead-2020-11423832\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">water system in Arizona is stressed<\/a> would be an understatement. Here\u2019s hoping they can catch a break \u2014 and a drink.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Last Frontier \u2026 for Water Quality<\/h3>    <p>Anchorage, Alaska, boasts the 12th highest overall consumer satisfaction and fifth highest satisfaction with water quality and accessibility. Clearly, Anchorage residents love their water system.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>But there\u2019s one problem: Anchorage has the second highest number of historical water quality violations in the country, as of Q4 2020. These recent quality issues are spread throughout Alaska as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alaskapublic.org\/2019\/09\/04\/alaska-communities-used-to-have-plenty-of-fresh-water-then-came-severe-drought\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">historic drought takes its toll<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p id=\"experts\">So where do the positive satisfaction ratings come from? The answer isn\u2019t clear. Perhaps the residents of Anchorage are just a very understanding people.<\/p>   <div id=\"experts-block\" class=\"experts\">     <h2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold text-black mb-3\">Ask The Experts<\/h2>    <p class=\"p1\">Both the federal government and most state governments set quality standards for America\u2019s drinking water. But Americans have a role to play in ensuring that those standards are upheld. We reached out to a panel of experts for answers to the most pressing questions on this topic. See what they had to say below.<\/p> <ul> <li class=\"p1\">Are water pitcher and faucet filters like <a href=\"http:\/\/w1.mslai.net\/prod\/cb019c92-27f8-42f7-a27d-1550d6bb0df0\/56d465fe-682c-4583-8e4f-2baddd41cdf9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">those made by Brita and Pur<\/span><\/a> necessary or just marketing scams? Please explain.<\/li> <li> <p class=\"p1\">Who needs a water softener in their home?<\/p> <\/li> <li> <p class=\"p1\">How can consumers determine if their local drinking water is unsafe or if public water standards have been violated?<\/p> <\/li> <li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water?<\/span><\/li> <li> <p class=\"p1\">Unregulated private wells supply water to <a href=\"http:\/\/w1.mslai.net\/prod\/cb019c92-27f8-42f7-a27d-1550d6bb0df0\/3e6f5a4b-7cff-46b1-ae74-b421dae4b2e1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">15 million<\/span><\/a> U.S. households, but at least 20% are <a href=\"http:\/\/w1.mslai.net\/prod\/cb019c92-27f8-42f7-a27d-1550d6bb0df0\/9c5ecc50-99c3-4a7c-b80b-6bf29e8fd7c2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">contaminated<\/span><\/a>, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not?<\/p> <\/li> <\/ul> <p>Check out their answers below..<\/p>    <div id=\"experts-container\" class=\"relative lg:mt-6\" x-data=\"experts()\" x-init=\"init()\">      <style>       .expert-avatars {         scrollbar-width: none;         -ms-overflow-style: none;          \/* momentum scroll on iOS *\/         -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;          \/* disbable vertical scroll for touch *\/         touch-action: pan-x;       }        \/* hide scroll bar *\/       .expert-avatars::-webkit-scrollbar {         display: none;       }        .expert-avatars .item {         width: 125px;         flex-shrink: 0;       }        .expert-avatars .item:not(:last-child) {         margin-right: 10px;       }        \/* hacky fix for padding at the end of the.expert-avatars *\/       .expert-avatars .item:last-child {         position: relative;       }        .expert-avatars .item:last-child::after {         position: absolute;         left: 100%;         height: 1px;         width: 20px;         display: block;         content: \"\";       }        .trim-label {         max-height: 18px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials {         max-height: 18px;         width: 250px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials-small {         max-height: 18px;         width: 110px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        [x-cloak] {         display: none;       }     <\/style>      <div class=\"expert-avatars flex overflow-x-scroll overscroll-contain px-2 mb-10 lg:hidden\">                         <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('mike-daniels-phd', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mike-Daniels.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Mike Daniels\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Mike Daniels, Ph.D. <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Extension Soil and Water Conservation, CSES Associate Department Head \u2013 Extension<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('upmanu-lall', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rsz_1upmanu-lall.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Upmanu Lall\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Upmanu Lall <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Alan &amp; Carol Silberstein Professor of Engineering, Department of Earth &amp; Environmental Engineering, Director, Columbia Water Center, Senior Research Scientist, International Research Institute for Climate &amp; Society<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('ivan-arismendi', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/arismendi.jpeg?wsr\" alt=\"Ivan Arismendi\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Ivan Arismendi <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Assistant Professor, College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('paulina-concha-larrauri', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Paulina-Concha-Larrauri.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Paulina Concha Larrauri\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Paulina Concha Larrauri <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Staff Associate, Columbia Water Center<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('jay-r-lund-', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Jay-R.-Lund.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Jay R. Lund\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Jay R. Lund  <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Co-Director, Center for Watershed Sciences, Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/John-Lendvay.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"John Lendvay\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">John M. (Jack) Lendvay, Ph.D., P.E. <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Chair, Department of Environmental Science<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Jeff-Cunningham.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Jeff Cunningham\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Dr. Jeffrey A. Cunningham <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Associate Professor, Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering Department<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Joseph-Reichenberger-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Joseph Reichenberger\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Joseph C. Reichenberger PE, BCEE, F.ASCE <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Professor of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, Interim Director, Graduate Civil Engineering and Environment Science Programs<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('ronnie-levin', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Ronnie-Levin.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Ronnie Levin\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Ronnie Levin <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Visiting Scientist<\/div>           <\/div>                   <\/div>                     <div           id=\"expert-mike-daniels-phd\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'mike-daniels-phd', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'mike-daniels-phd'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('mike-daniels-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'mike-daniels-phd', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'mike-daniels-phd'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('mike-daniels-phd', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mike-Daniels.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Mike Daniels\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'mike-daniels-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Mike Daniels, Ph.D. <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'mike-daniels-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Extension Soil and Water Conservation, CSES Associate Department Head \u2013 Extension<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'mike-daniels-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Arkansas<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'mike-daniels-phd'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('mike-daniels-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'mike-daniels-phd'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('mike-daniels-phd')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mike-Daniels.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Mike Daniels\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Mike Daniels, Ph.D. <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Extension Soil and Water Conservation, CSES Associate Department Head \u2013 Extension<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Arkansas<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><b>Are water pitcher and faucet filters like <\/b><b>those made by Brita and Pur<\/b><b> necessary or just marketing scams? Please explain.<\/b><\/p> <p>It depends on the source of their drinking water. For instance, in Arkansas like many other states, municipal water sources must meet minimum drinking water standards, and in Arkansas, these municipal sources must provide an annual water quality report.<\/p> <p>I personally am on a municipal source and drink the tap water. For some people on municipal water, the water may be safe to drink but may have an offensive odor or taste. For that reason, they want to use a filter but should get their water tested to see if the desired filter will solve their problem.<\/p> <p>For people on private wells, they should also get their water tested and may desire to match a water filter to make their drinking water safer.<\/p> <p><b>Who needs a water softener in their home?<\/b><\/p> <p>Typically in Arkansas, well owners may want a water softener if they get their well tested and hardness is greater than 50 mg\/L of CaCO3 equivalent. Those on city water may want to get softeners if they see signs of hard water such as filmy feel on their skin after bathing in hard water or spots on dishes, etc.<\/p> <p><b>How can consumers determine if their local drinking water is unsafe or if public water standards have been violated?<\/b><\/p> <p>In Arkansas, municipal or public water sources must provide an annual report to their customers. One could also contact their local health department or the state environmental agency.<\/p> <p><b>What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water?<\/b><\/p> <p>Joining a local watershed organization is a great way to get involved in protecting water quality.<\/p> <p>Another way to build knowledge on protecting water quality is contacting their local county extension office, which can provide such information. For example, in Arkansas, we have the Arkansas Watershed Stewards Program and educational program for concerned citizens.<\/p> <p><b>Unregulated private wells supply water to <\/b><b>15 million<\/b><b> U.S. households, but at least 20% are <\/b><b>contaminated<\/b><b>, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not?\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p> <p>As I am not a regulator but rather an educator, I cannot comment, but I do recommend that private well owners get their wells tested periodically to ensure water quality and safety.<\/p> <p>Well water testing can provide information on the type of filter or treatment system that is needed to ensure safety.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-upmanu-lall\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'upmanu-lall', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'upmanu-lall'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('upmanu-lall', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'upmanu-lall', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'upmanu-lall'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('upmanu-lall', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rsz_1upmanu-lall.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Upmanu Lall\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'upmanu-lall'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Upmanu Lall <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'upmanu-lall'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Alan &amp; Carol Silberstein Professor of Engineering, Department of Earth &amp; Environmental Engineering, Director, Columbia Water Center, Senior Research Scientist, International Research Institute for Climate &amp; Society<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'upmanu-lall'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Columbia University<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'upmanu-lall'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('upmanu-lall', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'upmanu-lall'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('upmanu-lall')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rsz_1upmanu-lall.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Upmanu Lall\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Upmanu Lall <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Alan &amp; Carol Silberstein Professor of Engineering, Department of Earth &amp; Environmental Engineering, Director, Columbia Water Center, Senior Research Scientist, International Research Institute for Climate &amp; Society<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Columbia University<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><b>Are water pitcher and faucet filters like those made by Brita and Pur necessary or just marketing scams? Please explain.<\/b><\/p> <p>The number of drinking water violations are growing across the country as utilities are financially strapped and are unable to meet standards.<\/p> <p>These kinds of filters are able to remove some of the things that lead to taste and odor problems. They may not be able to remove lead, arsenic, PFAS, and other contaminants that are a more serious concern.<\/p> <p><b>Who needs a water softener in their home?<\/b><\/p> <p>Someone with hard water \u2014 typically highly mineralized ground water.<\/p> <p><b>How can consumers determine if their local drinking water is unsafe or if public water standards have been violated?<\/b><\/p> <p>The EPA has an ECHO database, and an organization called EWG.org makes it accessible on their website.<\/p> <p><b>What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water?<\/b><\/p> <p>Advocacy groups. Contacts with a state environmental quality or protection agency. Awareness of major industrial and farming operations and what they may be doing to the water, especially groundwater.<\/p> <p><b>Unregulated private wells supply water to 15 million U.S. households, but at least 20% are contaminated, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not?\u00a0<\/b><\/p> <p>Often, these are in rural settings and the users may not have another alternative. If more than 15 families are supplied, then they have to register as a water utility in Texas and are regulated. Probably similar rules exist in other states. They should definitely be tested and monitored by their users.<\/p> <p>The question with regulation would be what alternative supply could be made available to these people, and who pays for the infrastructure? Overall, water and wastewater infrastructure has seen the least investment per capita of all forms of infrastructure from the federal government since the 1980s, and this is the problem that needs to be addressed. Otherwise, regulation would just add additional costs to the population and may not solve the problems.<\/p> <p>At the same time, we need to rethink our strategy for infrastructure, so smaller, decentralized systems become the norm, and lower costs are achieved by manufacturing large numbers of high-quality but small treatment systems that could also convert wastewater to usable water. This would lower the investment needed and make water availability and management more local \u2014 the systems could still be managed by a single entity, but one would avoid the large pipe networks and land needed for large treatment systems and the associated cost.<\/p> <p>As the smaller systems develop, there would be a solution for the people on these local private wells as well, since they could get appropriate treatment capacity.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-ivan-arismendi\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'ivan-arismendi', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'ivan-arismendi'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('ivan-arismendi', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'ivan-arismendi', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'ivan-arismendi'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('ivan-arismendi', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/arismendi.jpeg?wsr\" alt=\"Ivan Arismendi\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ivan-arismendi'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Ivan Arismendi <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ivan-arismendi'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor, College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ivan-arismendi'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Oregon State University<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'ivan-arismendi'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('ivan-arismendi', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'ivan-arismendi'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('ivan-arismendi')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/arismendi.jpeg?wsr\" alt=\"Ivan Arismendi\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Ivan Arismendi <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor, College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Oregon State University<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>Who needs a water softener in their home?<\/strong><\/p> <p>It may be needed in cases that the water is naturally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/special-topic\/water-science-school\/science\/hardness-water?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hard<\/a> and might represent a <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.cambridgema.gov\/CityOfCambridge_Content\/documents\/Drinking%20WaterMy%20edition.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nuisance<\/a>. However, hard drinking water is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/water_sanitation_health\/dwq\/chemicals\/hardness.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">not necessarily a health hazard<\/a>.<\/p> <p><strong>How can consumers determine if their local drinking water is unsafe or if public water standards have been violated?<\/strong><\/p> <p>The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 and the 1986 and 1996 ensure the quality and safety of drinking water.<\/p> <p>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to regulate public water systems to protect public health (drinking water standards and drinking water testing methods). States can administer the drinking water regulations and certify water quality testing labs.<\/p> <p>Regular samples from the water distribution system are tested before reaching your tap. Water quality results are summarized and sent regularly to state agencies for review. Often these results are available to the public.<\/p> <p><strong>What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water?<\/strong><\/p> <p>We all are responsible to protect the quality of our drinking water. In addition, we have to use water in a responsible manner to ensure a sustainable resource available for future generations.<\/p> <p><strong>Unregulated private wells supply water to 15 million U.S. households, but at least 20% are contaminated, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Yes, all drinking water providers should be regulated. I believe that full access to safe drinking water for all people should be granted to ensure equity in water security.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-paulina-concha-larrauri\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'paulina-concha-larrauri', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'paulina-concha-larrauri'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('paulina-concha-larrauri', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'paulina-concha-larrauri', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'paulina-concha-larrauri'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('paulina-concha-larrauri', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Paulina-Concha-Larrauri.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Paulina Concha Larrauri\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'paulina-concha-larrauri'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Paulina Concha Larrauri <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'paulina-concha-larrauri'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Staff Associate, Columbia Water Center<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'paulina-concha-larrauri'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Columbia University<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'paulina-concha-larrauri'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('paulina-concha-larrauri', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'paulina-concha-larrauri'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('paulina-concha-larrauri')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Paulina-Concha-Larrauri.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Paulina Concha Larrauri\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Paulina Concha Larrauri <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Staff Associate, Columbia Water Center<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Columbia University<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>Are water pitcher and faucet filters like those made by Brita and Pur necessary or just marketing scams? Please explain.<\/strong><\/p> <p>Water quality is different across the U.S., so the exposure to different contaminants varies. In part it depends on the source (for example, a private well or if you are getting your water from a private utility with water quality violations, or there are lead pipes in your home); the geology of the area (i.e., some areas are prone to having arsenic, fluoride, and other things); anthropogenic sources such as fertilizers, pesticides, etc. So drinking water directly from the tap can potentially expose you to contaminants depending on where you are.<\/p> <p>That being said, the products you mention do work depending on the problem there is. These products are commonly known as point-of-use (POU) systems but they have a wide range of the contaminants they remove.<\/p> <p>Pitcher filters mainly have activated carbon to remove things like odors, taste, chlorine, and some metals depending on the product, but will not kill bacteria, viruses nor remove other nocive compounds. Under-the-sink filters that have finer membranes (such as microfiltration, nano filtration, or reverse osmosis) or UV disinfection remove all the contaminants of concern.<\/p> <p>Quality across products varies and you can look at a recent study <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1021\/acs.estlett.0c00709\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a> that looks into the removal efficiency of different POUs.<\/p> <p><strong>Who needs a water softener in their home?<\/strong><\/p> <p>People for which the source water has large concentrations of calcium and magnesium (what is called \u201chard water\u201d). It is not necessarily a health hazard, but it can reduce pipe flows, and soap doesn&#8217;t work too well. I believe some people also feel itchy.<\/p> <p>I grew up at a place that has hard water, and we had to continuously clean the blocked shower heads, and when we boiled water it would always leave a film, but we never got a softener.<\/p> <p><strong>How can consumers determine if their local drinking water is unsafe or if public water standards have been violated<\/strong><\/p> <p>In the U.S., regulated utilities need to report water quality violations in the EPA&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/ofmpub.epa.gov\/apex\/sfdw\/f?p=108:200::::::\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SDWIS system<\/a>. There you can look for a specific utility and see all the types of violations they have incurred. The most important ones for consumers would be the exceedances of maximum contaminant loads (MCL) because other violations may refer to paperwork they didn&#8217;t submit and other things are unrelated to health.<\/p> <p>They can also reach out to their local water utility and ask for information, but this is not always an easy process. If they fear that they may be exposed to lead, some utilities offer lead testing kits (NYC&#8217;s DEP for example). For people with private wells, they must take water samples periodically and take them to a lab for analysis.<\/p> <p><strong>What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water<\/strong><\/p> <p>I would say to first get familiar with what are the potential sources of pollution in the area and how they are linked to their daily activities. For example, if nitrates and eutrophication are an issue like in Long Island Sound and if people have septic tanks, they need to do the necessary inspections to ensure the tanks are not leaking.<\/p> <p>Following guidelines of what not to throw in the sink or toilet. Actively engaging with their water utilities so that water quality information is easily accessible and understandable. And well, depending on the context, join groups of activists to hold large polluters accountable and clean up waterways as Riverkeeper has been doing for years.<\/p> <p><strong>Unregulated private wells supply water to 15 million U.S. households, but at least 20% are contaminated, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not? <\/strong><\/p> <p>I don&#8217;t know if regulating them is the answer, but certainly they should be monitored. Point-of-use systems should be made available to protect people who are exposed to contaminants and, depending on the socioeconomic context, provide different financing options.<\/p> <p>Perhaps you will find this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2021\/feb\/26\/worst-us-water-systems-latinos-most-exposed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">recent article<\/a> from The Guardian interesting.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-jay-r-lund-\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'jay-r-lund-', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'jay-r-lund-'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('jay-r-lund-', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'jay-r-lund-', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'jay-r-lund-'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('jay-r-lund-', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Jay-R.-Lund.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Jay R. Lund\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'jay-r-lund-'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Jay R. Lund  <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'jay-r-lund-'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Co-Director, Center for Watershed Sciences, Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'jay-r-lund-'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of California \u2013 Davis<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'jay-r-lund-'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('jay-r-lund-', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'jay-r-lund-'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('jay-r-lund-')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Jay-R.-Lund.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Jay R. Lund\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Jay R. Lund  <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Co-Director, Center for Watershed Sciences, Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of California \u2013 Davis<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p> <strong>Are water pitcher and faucet filters like those made by Brita and Pur necessary or just marketing scams? Please explain.<\/strong> <\/p> <p> Sometimes they might help with taste problems. Local water utility experts should be able to give good local advice on this. <\/p> <p> <strong>Who needs a water softener in their home? <\/strong> <\/p> <p> If the water is very hard, these can be useful for laundry and plumbing problems. They add a lot of salts to wastewater, which can be a problem for wastewater disposal and downstream water uses. <\/p> <p> <strong>How can consumers determine if their local drinking water is unsafe or if public water standards have been violated? <\/strong> <\/p> <p> Each public water utility and state inspecting agency should have such information readily available. <\/p> <p> <strong>What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water? <\/strong> <\/p> <p> Talk to your local water utility and local public health authority. In some areas with particular problems, particularly rural areas, there are advocacy groups that can be useful. <\/p> <p> <strong>Unregulated private wells supply water to 15 million U.S. households, but at least 20% are contaminated, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not? <\/strong> <\/p> <p> My impression is that there is good reason for states to consider requiring testing (and perhaps reporting) of wells for locally problematic water quality problems upon the sale of properties.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/John-Lendvay.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"John Lendvay\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">John M. (Jack) Lendvay, Ph.D., P.E. <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Chair, Department of Environmental Science<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of San Francisco<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('john-m-jack-lendvay-phd-pe')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/John-Lendvay.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"John Lendvay\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">John M. (Jack) Lendvay, Ph.D., P.E. <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Chair, Department of Environmental Science<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of San Francisco<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>Are water pitcher and faucet filters like those made by Brita and Pur necessary or just marketing scams? Please explain.<\/strong><\/p> <p>Water pitcher and faucet filters are often not necessary from a health perspective. What I mean by this is that public water supplies \u2014 meaning you pay a water bill \u2014 are strictly regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act.<\/p> <p>In these cases, filters can help with the taste and color of the water. They are not meant to make unsafe water safe to drink. If your water comes from a public supply, then by law, the water district <em>must<\/em> provide you with an annual report of water quality (see examples for <a href=\"https:\/\/sfwater.org\/modules\/showdocument.aspx?documentid=15360\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">San Francisco, California<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.austintexas.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/Water\/WaterQualityReports\/AW_WaterQuality_Report_Austin_2019_FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Austin, Texas<\/a>).<\/p> <p><strong>Who needs a water softener in their home?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Water softeners are needed when someone has hard water, meaning water with a lot of mineral content. The high mineral content can cause scale buildup, particularly in water heaters, coffee pots, anything that boils water. Again, if the water supply is public, then it has to be safe to drink, so a softener is really about extending the life of your plumbing fixtures.<\/p> <p>Water softeners also help when using water to clean, such as with washing machines or taking a bath (less soap is needed when the water is soft). To be honest, I would check with your local water softener supplier to determine if a water softener would help with your personal water supply.<\/p> <p>If you are on a private well, then you can have your water sampled to determine the hardness. This is an easy test and likely something a water softener supply company would do for free with an estimate.<\/p> <p>Be sure to do the research yourself with results; don&#8217;t necessarily believe the salesperson. For example, do your neighbors have water softeners?<\/p> <p><strong>What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water?<\/strong><\/p> <p>The best way for consumers to get involved in protecting water quality is to not pollute in the first place. For example, if you change your oil, then dispose of the waste oil at an approved facility. Don&#8217;t throw trash on the ground, particularly in areas near natural streams. Don&#8217;t build or farm near a natural stream. Don&#8217;t destroy wetlands (aka swamps) for building or roads, as these areas are very effective at protecting and improving water quality. If you are a hunter, pick up any shells that might lead to lead contamination. Don&#8217;t drive off-road.<\/p> <p>Don&#8217;t fertilize your lawns or use herbicides or pesticides. As this is likely your business, you may take issue with this statement, but the over-fertilization of lawns and agricultural fields is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the U.S. today. It seems everyone wants the perfect green lawn without weeds; this simply is a created desire and not a need. It often harms natural systems. Sediment and nutrient pollution can be easily minimized or eliminated with proper controls on private property.<\/p> <p><strong>Unregulated private wells supply water to 15 million U.S. households, but at least 20% are contaminated, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not? <\/strong><\/p> <p>I agree that some form of periodic testing should be implemented for private wells, but who is to pay for that, how is it to be enforced, should there be limits on how much water you can withdraw from the well?<\/p> <p>Achieving some form of consensus on this issue would be very difficult. I think a start would be for random testing at the tap of private wells using a statistically based sampling plan. What I mean by that is for the health department to sample random wells within a single aquifer on a periodic basis. Perhaps wells located &#8220;downstream&#8221; of known contamination sites should be tested frequently.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Jeff-Cunningham.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Jeff Cunningham\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Dr. Jeffrey A. Cunningham <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Associate Professor, Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering Department<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of South Florida<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('dr-jeffrey-a-cunningham')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Jeff-Cunningham.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Jeff Cunningham\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Dr. Jeffrey A. Cunningham <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Associate Professor, Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering Department<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of South Florida<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p> <strong>Are water pitcher and faucet filters like those made by Brita and Pur necessary or just marketing scams? Please explain.<\/strong> <\/p> <p> They are neither necessary nor a marketing scam. Those are not the only two choices. These filters are generally effective at removing most chemicals that might be in your water at low concentrations. In most cases, the risk posed by these chemicals is very, very low, but it is not zero. <\/p> <p> So each person can decide if they think it is worth the money to \u201cpolish\u201d their tap water or if they are comfortable drinking the tap water as is. <\/p> <p> <strong>Who needs a water softener in their home?<\/strong> <\/p> <p> Water hardness is a nuisance. It gunks up your coffee maker and your clothes iron. <\/p> <p> If your tap water is hard, maybe you think it is worth the money to buy a home water softener. Or, maybe you are okay living with spots on your dishes. It is a matter of preference. <\/p> <p> Hardness is not harmful to health, but it is a nuisance. <\/p> <p> <strong>How can consumers determine if their local drinking water is unsafe or if public water standards have been violated?<\/strong> <\/p> <p> Cities are required by law to send an annual report to their customers, reporting measured concentrations and reporting if any of the contaminants are above legal limits. You can also call your city\u2019s water department to request that this report should be mailed to you. <\/p> <p> <strong>What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water?<\/strong> <\/p> <p> Learn where your water comes from. Does your city draw from a nearby river? From a lake?  From groundwater? <\/p> <p> If you know the source of your water, you can learn what threats it faces. <\/p> <p> <strong>Unregulated private wells supply water to 15 million U.S. households, but at least 20% are contaminated, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not? <\/strong> <\/p> <p> How would these be regulated? The government cannot pay somebody to go out to each individual\u2019s private well and take measurements. And if the water is deemed \u201cdangerous\u201d by the government, do they have the authority to tell a private citizen \u201cyou must treat your own water\u201d?  So regulating private wells is a bad idea. <\/p> <p> A good idea is to help private well owners learn how to test their water and, if necessary, how to treat their water.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Joseph-Reichenberger-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Joseph Reichenberger\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Joseph C. Reichenberger PE, BCEE, F.ASCE <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Professor of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, Interim Director, Graduate Civil Engineering and Environment Science Programs<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('joseph-c-reichenberger-pe-bcee-fasce')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Joseph-Reichenberger-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Joseph Reichenberger\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Joseph C. Reichenberger PE, BCEE, F.ASCE <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Professor of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, Interim Director, Graduate Civil Engineering and Environment Science Programs<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><em>As a preamble, drinking water physical and chemical characteristics vary widely throughout the U.S. and even within a given city\/county like Los Angeles, depending on the water source. Source waters can be surface waters (reservoirs, lakes, rivers, desalted ocean water) or groundwater (from wells or springs). The mineral quality, taste and odors, hardness, etc. vary, but all public water suppliers are required to comply with state and federal (USEPA) drinking water standards. This includes the bacteriological requirements.<\/em><\/p> <p><em>All public water suppliers are required by federal law to issue annually a \u201cconsumer confidence report\u201d sometimes called a \u201cwater quality report,\u201d which must delineate the source(s) and the treated water quality (average and range) for various parameters. (Some are mandatory to report and many agencies provide much more information on various parameters.) Violations of any of the standards, including bacteriological in the previous year, must be reported. This report must also be published on their website and delivered to each customer.<\/em><\/p> <p><strong>Are water pitcher and faucet filters like those made by Brita and Pur necessary or just marketing scams? Please explain.<\/strong><\/p> <p>Because of the variability in tastes and odors of waters delivered to customers, some people just don\u2019t like the taste of the water (maybe has some iron in it) or the smell (they don\u2019t like chlorine smell), and they may want to use a filter to remove it.<\/p> <p>One of the problems with activated carbon filters (\u201cactivated charcoal\u201d) is they do remove chlorine, which also provides opportunities for bacteria to multiply on the carbon particles and eventually wash out into the drinking water glass. Usually the bacteria are not pathogenic, so there is no health concern.<\/p> <p>I personally don\u2019t have one, never have; but some people like the way their water tastes. I think it\u2019s a matter of choice. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a scam as long as the marketing is presented fairly \u2014 the way I\u2019ve stated it \u2014 not to make the water safe to drink but to make it better suit your particular flavor profile.<\/p> <p><strong>Who needs a water softener in their home?<\/strong><\/p> <p>It all depends on the hardness of the water. Hardness is caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium ions in the water (and a few others, but too small a concentration to worry about).<\/p> <p>These are naturally occurring and the result of rainwater, which is acidic by nature, dissolving calcium and magnesium from the rocks. Calcium and magnesium are not harmful and are not regulated. They will react with soap causing a scum to form and will waste soap (no \u201clather\u201d); also will form a calcium carbonate scale in pipes, cooking pans from boiling water, and water heaters; and also makes the clothes \u201cstiff\u201d after washing, etc.<\/p> <p>There are two types of water softeners: on-site regenerated and off-site regenerated.<\/p> <p>The on-site are operated by the owners and use rock salt to regenerate an ion exchange resin (IX); the regenerating salt is then discharged into the sewer or septic tank (if no sewer). Some agencies have limitations on the sodium and chloride (minerals in rock salt), so they have ordinances banning on-site regenerated softeners; the salt makes the water less usable for recycling and may cause problems in the septic tank leach fields depending on the native soil types (sand vs. a sandy clay).<\/p> <p>The off-site regeneration is done by collecting the IX resin cylinders and exchanging them for \u201cfresh\u201d ones and taking the spent cylinders to the \u201cshop\u201d for regeneration. The IX resin is saturated with a brine (salt) solution, and the sodium ions exchange from the liquid brine onto the IX resin. The IX resin and the water softener is returned to service and when either calcium or magnesium flow through the exchanger resin, two sodiums \u201cjump off\u201d and one calcium or magnesium ion \u201cjumps on\u201d to the resin. This means that softened water has a much higher sodium concentration than the \u201ctap\u201d water. People with low-sodium diets should not drink softened water. When the IX resin is exhausted, it needs to be regenerated; if not, nothing happens.<\/p> <p>You can tell if you have soft water if you take a shower and your skin feels very slippery, like I can\u2019t get the soap off.<\/p> <p><strong>How can consumers determine if their local drinking water is unsafe or if public water standards have been violated?<\/strong><\/p> <p>By the consumer confidence report or water quality report, as discussed above. It\u2019s Important to understand just because the water has a funny taste or smell (usually from algal metabolites) doesn\u2019t make the water unsafe or not meet standards. You may not want to drink it, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t drink it.<\/p> <p><strong>What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Protect the source.<\/p> <p>If it\u2019s groundwater, don\u2019t dump toxins or extra waste medicines in the septic tank if they have one. Don\u2019t dump used motor oil on the ground.<\/p> <p>If it\u2019s river or creek water going to a lake or reservoir, don\u2019t put any pollutants on the ground that could wash into the creek or stream when it rains.<\/p> <p><strong>Unregulated private wells supply water to 15 million U.S. households, but at least 20% are contaminated, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not? <\/strong><\/p> <p>Assuming these are classified as public water systems or private wells serving schools and public facilities, regulation could pose a burden on individual homeowners. All well owners should inspect their wells. Bacteriological contamination (get sick right away) is usually due to contaminated water getting into the well from the surface of the ground. Make sure the well is firmly on a concrete pad and the top of the well pipe is above the ground sealed tight. Floods in rural areas can cause water to seep into wells making the well unusable until cleaned and disinfected.<\/p> <p>Individual homeowners should have their well water tested periodically. If there is no evidence of surface contamination, probably every 5 to 10 years is okay. If the area has recently been flooded, I would have it tested ASAP before using unless the owner knows it is \u201ctight.\u201d<\/p> <p>Well construction in many states is regulated; it is in California. A well driller must get a permit from the state or county health department and get it inspected as it is drilled. There are well standards, and one standard is called a \u201csanitary seal,\u201d which is a cement grout poured around the well pipe (casing) from the ground surface to 40 or 50 feet below the ground surface to prevent any shallow surface contamination from intruding into the well.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-ronnie-levin\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'ronnie-levin', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'ronnie-levin'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('ronnie-levin', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'ronnie-levin', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'ronnie-levin'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('ronnie-levin', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Ronnie-Levin.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Ronnie Levin\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ronnie-levin'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Ronnie Levin <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ronnie-levin'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Visiting Scientist<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ronnie-levin'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'ronnie-levin'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('ronnie-levin', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'ronnie-levin'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('ronnie-levin')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Ronnie-Levin.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Ronnie Levin\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Ronnie Levin <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Visiting Scientist<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>Are water pitcher and faucet filters like those made by Brita and Pur necessary or just marketing scams? Please explain<\/strong><\/p> <p>How good a water filter is depends in part on what you want it to remove: dissolved substances or particulates, inorganics or organics, etc., as well as the level of contamination: mg\/L, ug\/L, or nanoparticles.<\/p> <p>For instance, the EPA has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/water-research\/consumer-tool-identifying-pou-drinking-water-filters-certified-reduce-lead\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">evaluated<\/a> the efficacy of some water pitchers and filters for use in homes that have lead contamination of their drinking water.<\/p> <p><strong>Who needs a water softener in their home?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Water softeners are usually an esthetic choice where the water is very hard. It is rarely \u201cneeded\u201d in residential settings.<\/p> <p><strong>How can consumers determine if their local drinking water is unsafe or if public water standards have been violated?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Under the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act, all public water systems (that is, systems providing water to 25 people for at least six months per year) must provide a Consumer Confidence Report to all of their customers, usually annually, with a description of their compliance with all of the federal drinking water requirements.<\/p> <p><strong>What is the best way for consumers to get involved in protecting the quality of their local drinking water?<\/strong><\/p> <p>On the local (municipal or county) level, customers can get involved in drinking water issues by going directly to the local public water supplier, through the local public health office, or by involvement in particular issues (e.g., testing lead levels in school drinking water, monitoring for PFOA\/PFAS, etc.)<\/p> <p>There are also often local environmental or neighborhood groups that are involved in specific drinking water issues.<\/p> <p><strong>Unregulated private wells supply water to 15 million U.S. households, but at least 20% are contaminated, according to federal government agencies. Should private wells be regulated? Why or why not? <\/strong><\/p> <p>Private wells are not covered under the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act. They do not constitute public water systems and, therefore, cannot be regulated by the EPA.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>              <\/div> <\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"methodology\">Methodology<\/h2>    <p>We ranked the 200 most populated U.S. cities in descending order \u2014 from best to worst \u2014 based on their overall scores, averaged across all the metrics listed below.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>A rank of \u201cN\/A\u201d in a particular category indicates lack of data for all metrics in that category. In such cases, the city\u2019s overall score is its average across all metrics for which data were available.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>The city that earned the highest overall score \u2014 out of a possible 100 points \u2014 ranked No. 1, or \u201cbest.\u201d<\/p>    <p><strong>Limitations: <\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires local water suppliers to publish a water quality report every year by July 1. However, these reports are not available for every city or from every supplier on the EPA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ofmpub.epa.gov\/apex\/safewater\/f?p=136:102::::::\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) database<\/a>. Absent this data and other official sources, LawnStarter relied instead on consumer satisfaction survey data from Numbeo as a substitute measure of quality.<br><\/li><li>According to the EPA, its <a href=\"https:\/\/ofmpub.epa.gov\/apex\/sfdw\/f?p=108:1::::1::\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) database<\/a> reports all historical water quality violations up to the most recent quarter. However, some data appears to be cleared out periodically, though the frequency and specific reasons for doing so are unclear. Results cannot be filtered to display only violations reported in a particular quarter.<\/li><\/ul>   \n<table id=\"tablepress-126\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-126 methodology-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Metric<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Weighting<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Min. Value<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">Max. Value<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Satisfaction with Overall Water Quality<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">18.75<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">8.33<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Satisfaction with Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">18.75<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">25<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>\"Consumer Satisfaction\" Category Total<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><strong>37.50<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td><td class=\"column-4\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Total Water Quality Violations<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">12.50<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">56748<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Increase in Water Quality Violations<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">18.75<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-896<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">3362<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>\"Compliance\" Category Total<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><strong>31.25<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td><td class=\"column-4\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Share of Homes Lacking Plumbing or Kitchen Facilities<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">12.50<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.31%<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">4.34%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Share of Homes with Sewage Disposal Breakdowns in Last 3 Months<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">12.50<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.51%<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">1.97%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Natural Hazards Index Score<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">6.25<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">9<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>\"Infrastructure Vulnerability\" Category Total<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><strong>31.25<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td><td class=\"column-4\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<tfoot>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\"><strong>Overall Total<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-2\"><strong>100.00<\/strong><\/th><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td><td class=\"column-4\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tfoot>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-126 from cache -->    <p><strong><em>Sources:<\/em><\/strong><em> County Health Rankings &amp; Roadmaps, National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Numbeo, U.S. Census Bureau, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency<\/em><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"matters\">Why This Study Matters<\/h2>    <p>We take for granted that the water coming out of our faucets is safe to drink, but that\u2019s not always a safe bet.<\/p>    <p>Today, over 90% of the U.S. population has access to some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/healthywater\/drinking\/public\/water_quality.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">safest drinking water in the world<\/a>. That leaves millions of Americans with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketwatch.com\/story\/2-million-americans-dont-have-access-to-running-water-and-basic-plumbing-2019-11-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">potentially unsafe water<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Over 15 million homes, for example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/healthywater\/drinking\/private\/wells\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rely on unregulated private wells for their water supply<\/a>. One federal agency found that about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/special-topic\/water-science-school\/science\/contamination-us-private-wells?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 in 5 private wells is contaminated<\/a> \u2014 enough that it can lead to illness or even death.<\/p>    <p>That\u2019s why during a pandemic, fresh, clean water has never been more important to warding off disease.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>But the issue of America\u2019s water crisis isn\u2019t just about public health \u2014 it cuts across political, economic, environmental, and racial lines, as recent historical events have magnified.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>The historic Texas winter storm in February 2021, for instance, left <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2021\/3\/1\/22305616\/water-texas-winter-storm-outage-california-fire-climate-change-infrastructure\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nearly 15 million<\/a> residents without access to clean water, exposing the vulnerability of America\u2019s water and wastewater systems to climate change.<\/p>    <p>As another example, the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/us-news-health-michigan-rick-snyder-flint-7295d05da09d7d5b1184b0e349545897\" target=\"_blank\">ongoing Flint, Michigan, water crisis<\/a> \u2014 marking seven years in April 2021 \u2014 has led to the discovery that race is the leading indicator of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/identities\/2020\/4\/17\/21223565\/coronavirus-clean-water-crisis-america\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">access to clean water<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/media\/2019\/190924\" target=\"_blank\">violation of standards<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>As consumers, it\u2019s important to take an active role in ensuring the quality of our water \u2014 whether knowing what\u2019s in it or holding our regulators accountable.<\/p>    <p>That starts with understanding which populations are most disadvantaged and vulnerable.<\/p>    <p>Main Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/pt\/image-photo\/close-focus-on-female-hand-holding-1391203490\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shutterstock<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CORRECTION: LawnStarter discovered an error in the formula used to calculate the rankings for our Best Cities for Water Quality [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":31493,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[853],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-studies"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rsz_1shutterstock_1391203490.jpg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Richie Bernardo","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/staff-writer\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>2021&#039;s Best Cities for Water Quality<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Water quality varies across America\u2019s cities. LawnStarter has ranked the best cities for water quality so you can see where your city stands.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/studies\/best-cities-for-water-quality\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2021&#039;s Best Cities for Water Quality\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Water quality varies across America\u2019s cities. 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