Los Angeles, the City of Angles, of sunshine, of culture, of creativity — but few moments are spent contemplating the water flowing through their faucets each morning. Supporting almost 4 million people, dependent upon the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), this gigantic water system supplies life and functionality to the region.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a broad category of compounds developed and used worldwide since the mid-20th century. PFAS chemicals are very resistant to heat, water, oil, and stains.
As an environmental policy advisor, I’ve worked on groundwater quality regulations. This experience has given me immense trust in our municipal water systems as I’ve gained the knowledge of just how heavily monitored our drinking water systems can be. Relying on tap water has many benefits. For those of us who are environmentally conscious, tap water reduces our environmental footprint and our contribution to plastic waste by reducing reliance on bottled water. Not to mention, it’s free!
Everyone, from individuals to water treatment plants, adds chlorine to tap water to kill all the bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that may be present. The belief is that killing the microorganisms with chlorine will make the water safe for people.
In 2025, the U.S. has been slammed by one extreme weather event after another, we’ve seen everything from devastating floods in Texas and relentless wildfires in California to scorching, suffocating heat on the East Coast.
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles (LA) have brought widespread destruction, displacing families, damaging homes, and threatening critical infrastructure. Among the many concerns these disasters raise, the impact on water safety is often overlooked. Wildfires can severely contaminate water supplies, leaving residents without access to safe drinking water. For those living in wildfire-prone areas like LA, understanding and implementing emergency water safety solution is vital.
Arsenic may be a natural element that comes from the Earth’s crust, but it can still negatively affect a person’s health if they consume it in drinking water. Unfortunately, human industrial and geological operations have caused arsenic to contaminate people’s drinking water at accelerated rates. If you consume water with arsenic in it, you run the risk of developing severe health issues, including cancer.
Fluoride was introduced to the public in the second half of the 20th century. Ever since then, it has significantly helped reduce tooth decay in people. Some people also believe that fluoride should be added to drinking water, but that is still a debatable idea. It was even debated heavily in the recent U.S. election .
Conyers, Georgia, residents are worried about the release of hazardous chemicals like chlorine and its possible effects on human health and the environment following the BioLab explosion that occurred there on October 1, 2024. Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of the air and, more crucially, the water supply as smoke and fumes have spread to nearby counties, including Atlanta. This catastrophe serves as a reminder of how important it is to have access to pure, uncontaminated water, particularly following chemical contamination.
People have different thoughts on whether fluoride should be in drinking water, but the issue is often debated. Some view it as a necessary nutrient that can prevent dental cavities, while others view it as an unwanted ingredient that may pose health risks. If you fall into the latter category, one of your top priorities should be learning how to remove fluoride from your tap water.