{ "dataset": "CleanWaterGrade US Municipal Tap Water PFAS, Lead & Hardness Crosswalk (2026)", "version": "1.0.0", "updated": "2026-10-24", "sources": [ "US EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) Public Dataset (2023-2026)", "US EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Final PFAS MCL Rule (4.0 ppt PFOA/PFOS)", "US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Lead & Copper 90th Percentile Filings", "US Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment Hardness Classification" ], "federal_benchmarks": { "pfoa_mcl_ppt": 4.0, "pfos_mcl_ppt": 4.0, "pfas_mclg_ppt": 0.0, "lead_action_level_ppb": 10.0, "tthm_mcl_ppb": 80.0, "haa5_mcl_ppb": 60.0 }, "cities": [ { "slug": "los-angeles-ca", "name": "Los Angeles", "state": "CA", "utility": "Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP)", "pwsid": "CA1910067", "population": "3,898,747", "grade": "D+", "score": 67, "badge_class": "grade-d", "pfas_ppt": 4.6, "pfoa_ppt": 2.5, "pfos_ppt": 2.1, "lead_ppb": 3.4, "tthm_ppb": 46.2, "haa5_ppb": 24.8, "hardness_gpg": 16.4, "hardness_ppm": 280, "hardness_label": "Very Hard (~280 ppm TDS)", "chloramine": true, "source": "Eastern Sierra Nevada Aqueduct, Colorado River Aqueduct & San Fernando Basin Groundwater", "zips": [ "90001", "90011", "90012", "90015", "90017", "90024", "90025", "90027", "90028", "90036", "90045", "90049", "90064", "90066", "90210", "90291", "91301", "91367", "91401" ], "summary": "Los Angeles (ZIP 90017, LADWP) tap water earns a D+ grade due to San Fernando Basin groundwater PFOA/PFOS detections (4.6 ppt vs 4.0 ppt EPA limit), trace Arsenic and Chromium-6, chloramine disinfection byproducts (46.2 ppb TTHMs), and ~280 ppm TDS (16.4 gpg) mineral hardness.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "SpringWell CF1 + SS1 Combo" }, { "slug": "phoenix-az", "name": "Phoenix", "state": "AZ", "utility": "City of Phoenix Water Services Department", "pwsid": "AZ0407025", "population": "1,650,070", "grade": "D+", "score": 66, "badge_class": "grade-d", "pfas_ppt": 5.4, "pfoa_ppt": 2.9, "pfos_ppt": 2.5, "lead_ppb": 4.1, "tthm_ppb": 58.4, "haa5_ppb": 21.3, "hardness_gpg": 16.8, "hardness_ppm": 287, "hardness_label": "Extremely Hard", "chloramine": false, "source": "Salt River, Verde River, Central Arizona Project (Colorado River) & Desert Wells", "zips": [ "85001", "85003", "85004", "85006", "85008", "85012", "85014", "85016", "85018", "85020", "85022", "85024", "85032", "85044", "85048", "85050", "85085", "85251", "85254" ], "summary": "Phoenix (ZIP 85001) tap water receives a D+ grade due to 380\u2013520 ppm TDS and 287 mg/L (16.8 gpg) hardness from Colorado and Salt River sources, Chromium-6, chlorine/chloramine taste, elevated trihalomethanes (58.4 ppb TTHMs), and 5.4 ppt combined PFOA/PFOS detections exceeding the 4.0 ppt EPA limit.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "SpringWell CF1 + SS1 Combo" }, { "slug": "houston-tx", "name": "Houston", "state": "TX", "utility": "City of Houston Public Works Drinking Water Operations", "pwsid": "TX1010013", "population": "2,314,157", "grade": "D", "score": 62, "badge_class": "grade-d", "pfas_ppt": 6.2, "pfoa_ppt": 3.4, "pfos_ppt": 2.8, "lead_ppb": 5.2, "tthm_ppb": 61.0, "haa5_ppb": 34.5, "hardness_gpg": 9.1, "hardness_ppm": 156, "hardness_label": "Hard", "chloramine": true, "source": "Lake Houston, Lake Conroe, Trinity River & Gulf Coast Evangeline/Chicot Aquifers", "zips": [ "77001", "77002", "77004", "77005", "77006", "77007", "77008", "77019", "77024", "77027", "77030", "77056", "77057", "77077", "77079", "77084", "77098" ], "summary": "Houston tap water earns a D grade due to 6.2 ppt combined PFOA/PFOS detections in surface and Gulf Coast aquifer blends (above the 4.0 ppt EPA limit), high chloramine disinfection byproducts (61.0 ppb TTHMs), and 9.1 gpg water hardness.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000" }, { "slug": "las-vegas-nv", "name": "Las Vegas", "state": "NV", "utility": "Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD)", "pwsid": "NV0000090", "population": "1,560,000", "grade": "D+", "score": 67, "badge_class": "grade-d", "pfas_ppt": 3.9, "pfoa_ppt": 2.2, "pfos_ppt": 1.7, "lead_ppb": 2.8, "tthm_ppb": 54.7, "haa5_ppb": 19.6, "hardness_gpg": 17.5, "hardness_ppm": 299, "hardness_label": "Extremely Hard", "chloramine": false, "source": "Lake Mead (Colorado River \u2014 90%) & Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Basin (10%)", "zips": [ "89101", "89102", "89103", "89104", "89107", "89108", "89109", "89113", "89117", "89119", "89123", "89128", "89129", "89134", "89135", "89138", "89147", "89148" ], "summary": "Las Vegas (ZIP 89101, LVVWD) tap water grades at D+ due to 460\u2013550 ppm Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and 299 mg/L (17.5 gpg) extreme mineral hardness drawn from Lake Mead, plus 54.7 ppb total trihalomethanes and 3.9 ppt trace PFAS.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "SpringWell CF1 + SS1 Combo" }, { "slug": "miami-fl", "name": "Miami", "state": "FL", "utility": "Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (MDWASD)", "pwsid": "FL4130871", "population": "2,700,000", "grade": "D", "score": 61, "badge_class": "grade-d", "pfas_ppt": 7.8, "pfoa_ppt": 4.1, "pfos_ppt": 3.7, "lead_ppb": 4.9, "tthm_ppb": 52.3, "haa5_ppb": 31.2, "hardness_gpg": 5.4, "hardness_ppm": 92, "hardness_label": "Moderately Hard (Lime-Softened)", "chloramine": true, "source": "Biscayne Aquifer (Shallow Porous Limestone Groundwater)", "zips": [ "33101", "33125", "33126", "33127", "33129", "33130", "33131", "33132", "33133", "33134", "33137", "33138", "33139", "33143", "33145", "33156", "33176", "33186" ], "summary": "Miami tap water receives a D grade because the shallow, porous Biscayne Aquifer shows 7.8 ppt combined PFOA/PFOS in UCMR5 testing\u2014nearly double the 4.0 ppt EPA limit\u2014alongside chloramine residual taste and 52.3 ppb trihalomethanes.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000" }, { "slug": "chicago-il", "name": "Chicago", "state": "IL", "utility": "City of Chicago Department of Water Management", "pwsid": "IL0316000", "population": "2,665,000", "grade": "C-", "score": 70, "badge_class": "grade-c", "pfas_ppt": 2.4, "pfoa_ppt": 1.3, "pfos_ppt": 1.1, "lead_ppb": 8.9, "tthm_ppb": 36.4, "haa5_ppb": 18.2, "hardness_gpg": 8.2, "hardness_ppm": 140, "hardness_label": "Hard", "chloramine": false, "source": "Lake Michigan (Jardine & Sawyer Water Purification Plants)", "zips": [ "60601", "60602", "60605", "60607", "60608", "60610", "60611", "60613", "60614", "60616", "60618", "60622", "60625", "60640", "60647", "60657" ], "summary": "Chicago tap water earns a C- grade primarily because Chicago has the highest count of legacy lead service lines in the United States (8.9 ppb 90th-percentile lead risk at older residential taps), paired with 140 mg/L (8.2 gpg) Lake Michigan hardness.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "SpringWell CF1 + SS1 Combo" }, { "slug": "san-diego-ca", "name": "San Diego", "state": "CA", "utility": "City of San Diego Public Utilities Department", "pwsid": "CA3710020", "population": "1,386,932", "grade": "C-", "score": 69, "badge_class": "grade-c", "pfas_ppt": 3.6, "pfoa_ppt": 1.9, "pfos_ppt": 1.7, "lead_ppb": 3.1, "tthm_ppb": 59.1, "haa5_ppb": 28.4, "hardness_gpg": 16.1, "hardness_ppm": 275, "hardness_label": "Very Hard", "chloramine": true, "source": "Colorado River Aqueduct & California State Water Project (85\u201390% Imported)", "zips": [ "92101", "92102", "92103", "92104", "92106", "92107", "92108", "92109", "92110", "92111", "92115", "92116", "92117", "92122", "92126", "92127", "92128", "92130" ], "summary": "San Diego tap water earns a C- grade due to 275 mg/L (16.1 gpg) mineral hardness from imported Colorado River water, high chloramine disinfection byproducts (59.1 ppb TTHMs), and 3.6 ppt PFAS detections.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "SpringWell CF1 + SS1 Combo" }, { "slug": "dallas-tx", "name": "Dallas", "state": "TX", "utility": "Dallas Water Utilities (DWU)", "pwsid": "TX0570004", "population": "1,304,379", "grade": "C", "score": 72, "badge_class": "grade-c", "pfas_ppt": 4.7, "pfoa_ppt": 2.6, "pfos_ppt": 2.1, "lead_ppb": 3.8, "tthm_ppb": 48.9, "haa5_ppb": 27.1, "hardness_gpg": 7.9, "hardness_ppm": 135, "hardness_label": "Hard", "chloramine": true, "source": "Elm Fork Trinity River & 6 Surface Reservoirs (Ray Roberts, Lewisville, Grapevine, Ray Hubbard, Tawakoni, Fork)", "zips": [ "75201", "75202", "75204", "75205", "75206", "75207", "75208", "75209", "75214", "75218", "75219", "75225", "75230", "75240", "75248" ], "summary": "Dallas tap water receives a C grade due to 4.7 ppt combined PFOA/PFOS in Trinity River reservoir blends (exceeding the 4.0 ppt EPA limit), seasonal algal-bloom earthy taste/odor compounds, and chloramine treatment byproducts.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000" }, { "slug": "tampa-fl", "name": "Tampa", "state": "FL", "utility": "City of Tampa Water Department (Tampa Bay Water)", "pwsid": "FL6290327", "population": "403,364", "grade": "D+", "score": 65, "badge_class": "grade-d", "pfas_ppt": 6.9, "pfoa_ppt": 3.8, "pfos_ppt": 3.1, "lead_ppb": 4.4, "tthm_ppb": 56.8, "haa5_ppb": 33.0, "hardness_gpg": 12.6, "hardness_ppm": 215, "hardness_label": "Very Hard", "chloramine": true, "source": "Hillsborough River, Floridan Aquifer Groundwater & Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination", "zips": [ "33601", "33602", "33603", "33604", "33606", "33607", "33609", "33611", "33612", "33613", "33615", "33617", "33618", "33626", "33629", "33647" ], "summary": "Tampa tap water scores a D+ because Hillsborough River and Floridan Aquifer blends test at 6.9 ppt PFOA/PFOS (above the 4.0 ppt EPA standard), alongside 215 mg/L (12.6 gpg) limestone hardness and 56.8 ppb TTHMs.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "SpringWell CF1 + SS1 Combo" }, { "slug": "philadelphia-pa", "name": "Philadelphia", "state": "PA", "utility": "Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)", "pwsid": "PA1510001", "population": "1,567,258", "grade": "D+", "score": 66, "badge_class": "grade-d", "pfas_ppt": 5.8, "pfoa_ppt": 3.1, "pfos_ppt": 2.7, "lead_ppb": 6.4, "tthm_ppb": 57.2, "haa5_ppb": 35.9, "hardness_gpg": 7.6, "hardness_ppm": 130, "hardness_label": "Hard", "chloramine": true, "source": "Delaware River (Baxter Plant) & Schuylkill River (Belmont & Queen Lane Plants)", "zips": [ "19102", "19103", "19104", "19106", "19107", "19119", "19123", "19125", "19128", "19130", "19139", "19143", "19146", "19147", "19148" ], "summary": "Philadelphia tap water receives a D+ grade due to 5.8 ppt PFOA/PFOS detected in Schuylkill and Delaware River intakes, 6.4 ppb 90th-percentile lead from older rowhome plumbing, and 57.2 ppb TTHMs.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000" }, { "slug": "atlanta-ga", "name": "Atlanta", "state": "GA", "utility": "City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management", "pwsid": "GA1210001", "population": "510,823", "grade": "B-", "score": 79, "badge_class": "grade-b", "pfas_ppt": 3.5, "pfoa_ppt": 1.9, "pfos_ppt": 1.6, "lead_ppb": 2.9, "tthm_ppb": 49.5, "haa5_ppb": 29.8, "hardness_gpg": 1.8, "hardness_ppm": 31, "hardness_label": "Soft", "chloramine": false, "source": "Chattahoochee River / Lake Lanier (Hemphill & Chattahoochee Treatment Plants)", "zips": [ "30301", "30303", "30305", "30306", "30307", "30308", "30309", "30312", "30313", "30316", "30318", "30324", "30326", "30327" ], "summary": "Atlanta tap water earns a B- grade thanks to naturally soft Chattahoochee River water (31 mg/L / 1.8 gpg), though chlorine disinfection byproducts (49.5 ppb TTHMs) and 3.5 ppt trace PFAS near the 4.0 ppt EPA limit warrant under-sink carbon or RO filtration.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000" }, { "slug": "denver-co", "name": "Denver", "state": "CO", "utility": "Denver Water", "pwsid": "CO0116001", "population": "1,500,000", "grade": "B-", "score": 78, "badge_class": "grade-b", "pfas_ppt": 2.9, "pfoa_ppt": 1.6, "pfos_ppt": 1.3, "lead_ppb": 6.8, "tthm_ppb": 38.1, "haa5_ppb": 22.4, "hardness_gpg": 5.2, "hardness_ppm": 89, "hardness_label": "Moderately Hard", "chloramine": true, "source": "South Platte River, Blue River, Williams Fork & Fraser River Rocky Mountain Snowmelt", "zips": [ "80202", "80203", "80204", "80205", "80206", "80207", "80209", "80210", "80211", "80212", "80218", "80220", "80238" ], "summary": "Denver tap water scores a B- with clean Rocky Mountain snowmelt sources, but pre-1951 homes face elevated lead risk (6.8 ppb 90th percentile under Denver Water's active lead-pipe replacement program) plus chloramine disinfection.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000" }, { "slug": "charlotte-nc", "name": "Charlotte", "state": "NC", "utility": "Charlotte Water", "pwsid": "NC0160010", "population": "1,100,000", "grade": "C+", "score": 75, "badge_class": "grade-c", "pfas_ppt": 4.4, "pfoa_ppt": 2.4, "pfos_ppt": 2.0, "lead_ppb": 2.6, "tthm_ppb": 51.4, "haa5_ppb": 32.1, "hardness_gpg": 2.1, "hardness_ppm": 36, "hardness_label": "Soft", "chloramine": false, "source": "Catawba River (Lake Norman & Mountain Island Lake)", "zips": [ "28202", "28203", "28204", "28205", "28207", "28208", "28209", "28210", "28211", "28226", "28269", "28277" ], "summary": "Charlotte tap water earns a C+ grade: Catawba River water is naturally soft (2.1 gpg), but UCMR5 testing detected 4.4 ppt combined PFOA/PFOS (above the 4.0 ppt EPA limit) alongside 51.4 ppb total trihalomethanes.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000" }, { "slug": "sacramento-ca", "name": "Sacramento", "state": "CA", "utility": "City of Sacramento Department of Utilities", "pwsid": "CA3410020", "population": "528,001", "grade": "C", "score": 73, "badge_class": "grade-c", "pfas_ppt": 4.9, "pfoa_ppt": 2.7, "pfos_ppt": 2.2, "lead_ppb": 3.2, "tthm_ppb": 47.6, "haa5_ppb": 26.0, "hardness_gpg": 5.8, "hardness_ppm": 99, "hardness_label": "Moderately Hard", "chloramine": false, "source": "Sacramento River, American River & North-of-American-River Groundwater Wells", "zips": [ "95811", "95814", "95816", "95818", "95819", "95820", "95821", "95822", "95825", "95831", "95833", "95834", "95835" ], "summary": "Sacramento tap water earns a C grade: American River surface water is clean and moderately soft, but North Sacramento groundwater wells tested at 4.9 ppt PFOA/PFOS (above the 4.0 ppt EPA standard) with hexavalent chromium traces.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "SpringWell CF1 + SS1 Combo" }, { "slug": "fresno-ca", "name": "Fresno", "state": "CA", "utility": "City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities", "pwsid": "CA1010007", "population": "545,567", "grade": "D", "score": 60, "badge_class": "grade-d", "pfas_ppt": 6.4, "pfoa_ppt": 3.5, "pfos_ppt": 2.9, "lead_ppb": 4.5, "tthm_ppb": 44.2, "haa5_ppb": 21.8, "hardness_gpg": 11.4, "hardness_ppm": 195, "hardness_label": "Very Hard", "chloramine": false, "source": "Kings Subbasin Groundwater Wells (250+ Wells) & Kings/San Joaquin River Surface Plants", "zips": [ "93701", "93702", "93703", "93704", "93705", "93706", "93710", "93711", "93720", "93721", "93722", "93726", "93727", "93730" ], "summary": "Fresno tap water receives a D grade due to Central Valley agricultural and industrial groundwater pressures: 6.4 ppt PFOA/PFOS detections, 1,2,3-TCP and nitrate treatment demands, and 195 mg/L (11.4 gpg) hard water.", "best_ro": "Waterdrop G3P800", "best_wh": "SpringWell CF1 + SS1 Combo" } ], "additional_metros": [ { "zip": "10001", "name": "New York", "state": "NY", "utility": "NYC DEP (Catskill/Delaware Watershed)", "grade": "B+", "pfas_ppt": 1.6, "lead_ppb": 9.1, "tthm_ppb": 39.0, "hardness_gpg": 2.0, "hardness_ppm": 34, "chloramine": false }, { "zip": "07102", "name": "Newark", "state": "NJ", "utility": "Newark Water & Sewer Utilities (Pequannock/Wanaque)", "grade": "C-", "pfas_ppt": 5.1, "lead_ppb": 7.4, "tthm_ppb": 55.2, "hardness_gpg": 4.5, "hardness_ppm": 77, "chloramine": false }, { "zip": "02108", "name": "Boston", "state": "MA", "utility": "MWRA / BWSC (Quabbin & Wachusett Reservoirs)", "grade": "B+", "pfas_ppt": 1.4, "lead_ppb": 6.2, "tthm_ppb": 28.4, "hardness_gpg": 1.5, "hardness_ppm": 26, "chloramine": true }, { "zip": "98101", "name": "Seattle", "state": "WA", "utility": "Seattle Public Utilities (Cedar & Tolt Rivers)", "grade": "A-", "pfas_ppt": 0.8, "lead_ppb": 3.1, "tthm_ppb": 26.0, "hardness_gpg": 1.4, "hardness_ppm": 24, "chloramine": false }, { "zip": "78701", "name": "Austin", "state": "TX", "utility": "Austin Water (Colorado River / Highland Lakes)", "grade": "C", "pfas_ppt": 3.7, "lead_ppb": 2.9, "tthm_ppb": 53.6, "hardness_gpg": 10.5, "hardness_ppm": 180, "chloramine": true }, { "zip": "32801", "name": "Orlando", "state": "FL", "utility": "Orlando Utilities Commission (Lower Floridan Aquifer)", "grade": "C-", "pfas_ppt": 4.8, "lead_ppb": 3.3, "tthm_ppb": 54.1, "hardness_gpg": 9.8, "hardness_ppm": 168, "chloramine": false }, { "zip": "27601", "name": "Raleigh", "state": "NC", "utility": "Raleigh Water (Falls Lake & Lake Benson)", "grade": "C", "pfas_ppt": 5.2, "lead_ppb": 2.7, "tthm_ppb": 52.8, "hardness_gpg": 2.6, "hardness_ppm": 44, "chloramine": true }, { "zip": "92501", "name": "Riverside", "state": "CA", "utility": "Riverside Public Utilities (Bunker Hill & Riverside Basin)", "grade": "D+", "pfas_ppt": 6.1, "lead_ppb": 3.0, "tthm_ppb": 41.5, "hardness_gpg": 15.6, "hardness_ppm": 267, "chloramine": false }, { "zip": "94102", "name": "San Francisco", "state": "CA", "utility": "SFPUC (Hetch Hetchy Reservoir & Alameda/Peninsula)", "grade": "B+", "pfas_ppt": 1.1, "lead_ppb": 3.2, "tthm_ppb": 34.0, "hardness_gpg": 2.8, "hardness_ppm": 48, "chloramine": true }, { "zip": "48201", "name": "Detroit", "state": "MI", "utility": "Great Lakes Water Authority (Lake Huron / Detroit River)", "grade": "C-", "pfas_ppt": 3.2, "lead_ppb": 8.4, "tthm_ppb": 42.1, "hardness_gpg": 6.4, "hardness_ppm": 110, "chloramine": false }, { "zip": "55401", "name": "Minneapolis", "state": "MN", "utility": "Minneapolis Water Treatment & Distribution (Mississippi River)", "grade": "B", "pfas_ppt": 2.8, "lead_ppb": 4.9, "tthm_ppb": 37.5, "hardness_gpg": 5.1, "hardness_ppm": 87, "chloramine": true }, { "zip": "63101", "name": "St. Louis", "state": "MO", "utility": "St. Louis Water Division (Mississippi & Missouri Rivers)", "grade": "C", "pfas_ppt": 3.9, "lead_ppb": 5.6, "tthm_ppb": 48.2, "hardness_gpg": 8.8, "hardness_ppm": 150, "chloramine": true }, { "zip": "84101", "name": "Salt Lake City", "state": "UT", "utility": "SLC Department of Public Utilities (Wasatch Canyons & Wells)", "grade": "C+", "pfas_ppt": 2.7, "lead_ppb": 3.5, "tthm_ppb": 39.8, "hardness_gpg": 13.8, "hardness_ppm": 236, "chloramine": false }, { "zip": "78201", "name": "San Antonio", "state": "TX", "utility": "San Antonio Water System \u2014 SAWS (Edwards Aquifer)", "grade": "D+", "pfas_ppt": 3.8, "lead_ppb": 3.1, "tthm_ppb": 44.0, "hardness_gpg": 16.4, "hardness_ppm": 280, "chloramine": false }, { "zip": "43215", "name": "Columbus", "state": "OH", "utility": "Columbus Division of Water (Scioto River & Alum Creek)", "grade": "C", "pfas_ppt": 4.6, "lead_ppb": 4.0, "tthm_ppb": 49.3, "hardness_gpg": 8.5, "hardness_ppm": 145, "chloramine": true }, { "zip": "46204", "name": "Indianapolis", "state": "IN", "utility": "Citizens Energy Group (White River & Wellfields)", "grade": "D+", "pfas_ppt": 5.5, "lead_ppb": 4.8, "tthm_ppb": 51.0, "hardness_gpg": 15.2, "hardness_ppm": 260, "chloramine": true } ] }