Before water reaches a treatment plant and eventually flows from your tap, it starts in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, streams or groundwater aquifers. Protecting source water is one of the most effective ways to protect public health and help control the cost of drinking water treatment.

NOAA recently reported that July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous United States, with an average temperature of 76.9 degrees Fahrenheit, 3.3 degrees above the 20th-century average. NOAA’s records began in 1895. Aside from higher electric bills, soaring temperatures present challenges to water supplies that serve us all.

Recent cyberattacks targeting water systems in multiple U.S. states have raised understandable questions about the security of the nation's drinking water infrastructure. While some utilities experienced operational disruptions, officials have reported no impacts to drinking water quality or public health. Water systems continued operating safely, and no contamination has been reported.

As we approach the summer months and you might spend more time outside, it’s important to remember to stay hydrated. Some influencers might make you think that a plain glass of water might not adequately satiate your thirst.

In some communities, potentially harmful nitrates seep into and contaminate water sources. A new treatment system may make treating them cleaner and more efficient.

As the weather gets colder, it is very important to turn off outdoor irrigation systems, drain those pipes and disconnect hoses from spigots to prevent damaging pipes.

A study found that including coffee and tea in your water consumption is associated with a lower risk of death from nearly all causes. Researchers found that people who had seven or eight drinks per day, combining coffee, tea and plain water, showed a 28% lower risk of death from any cause than those who drank fewer than four drinks a day.

Home renovation can be expensive. If that remodel includes pipes in your bathroom or kitchen, the cost goes up. Now, imagine the cost associated with construction involving the infrastructure necessary to treat and transport safe drinking water to and through an entire community. Fortunately, in the United States, federal loan programs often help water utilities to maintain and repair their infrastructure while limiting the impact on our water bills. Programs like the State Revolving Funds (SRFs...

Every time we turn on the tap, fill a glass, or take a shower, we’re relying on something essential: clean water. August is National Water Quality Month, making it a great opportunity to think about where our water comes from, how it’s treated and why protecting it is so important. Too often we take it for granted, especially considering water quality affects everything from our health and environment to our economy and future sustainability.

The American Society of Civil Engineers' "Report Card for America's Infrastructure" provides an opportunity to talk about the need to fund water infrastructure projects.