KX NEWS 2024-11-09 17:05:29

Kawundo.com

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BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — Clean water is an important aspect of day-to-day life for many Americans, but old piping and contamination can lead to problems with drinking from the tap. As new research shows, however, this is not a problem that most residents of North Dakota struggle with, as the Peace Garden State’s water is cleaner than in most of America.

In a study on water safety, researchers with PFAS Water Experts analyzed data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the number of quality violations in each state’s public water systems (PWS) from 2019 to 2023. When this number was compared to the state’s average population, it was determined that North Dakota’s population sees less contamination than anywhere else in the country.

Out of North Dakota’s 776,489 residents, less than 25% were served by PWS with any violations — and this number is lowered to a minuscule .05% from those with health-based violations, the lowest number in the country. In contrast to these stellar statistics, states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, and especially New York experience many more dangers with their drinking water, as their larger populations are significantly affected by PWS violations.

In response to these findings, Andrew J. Cobos — an Attorney-at-Law and the Chief Veteran Legal Counsel at PFAS Water Experts — offered the following statement:

“This research shows the difference in the quality of drinking water across different states, highlighting the states where people should be most concerned. New York’s population has the highest percentage by far. The New York State Department of Health says that 95% of the state’s population relies on public water systems for their drinking and household water supplies, compared to 87% in New Jersey, the state ranking second.

“Additionally, New York has one of the oldest water system infrastructures in the nation, with many of the system’s assets near or past their suggested useful lives, according to the New York State Comptroller. These factors could be part of the reason that the number of violations in New York is so high, suggesting that the state may require investment in its water infrastructure to help better protect public health. Drinking contaminated water can have both short and long-term health effects. Whether someone experiences health effects and how severe they are depends on things like the type and amount of contaminant, how much water they drink, how long they’re exposed, and their individual susceptibility.

“Knowing if you live in a higher-risk state allows you to act by requesting a water quality test or using filtration systems, for example. If you suspect contamination, reach out to your local water provider or the Environmental Protection Agency for more information on testing and safety measures.”

To learn more about clean water in North Dakota, visit the Division of Water Quality’s page on ND.Gov.