Access to safe, clean running water is vital for the health of any community – a fundamental resource that has become even more important after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While running tap water is often the safest option for residents – and relying instead on bottled water can bring its own problems and potential risks – confidence in US water has been hit in recent years.
There have been some high profile cases of contamination in drinking water, including from heavy metals, such as lead. More recently, concerns have grown about the risk of synthetic chemicals, including PFAS, which have been linked to a range of health problems.
Guardian US and Consumer Reports are partnering to test water systems across the country with volunteers in 120 different communities who will use a special testing kit to take samples that will then be analysed in a lab for any heavy metals or PFAS.
Would you like to help us test the water in your community? Is there a story about water quality where you live that you would like to share with us?
We need more help in some states than in others, including:
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Oregon.
But we’re keen to hear from you wherever you live in the US. And please share this with anyone who you know who might be keen to take part.
Volunteer to be a water tester
Please get in touch through this form, hosted by our partners Consumer Reports. Your responses are secure as the form is encrypted and only Consumer Reports and the Guardian will have access to your contributions.
To be part of the testing project you need to get water from a municipal system in the US, not a private well.
Tell us about your water supply experiences
As well as the testing project, we also want to hear from readers who have a story to tell about their drinking water. If you have a story that one of our reporters should check out, please respond in this form, hosted by the Guardian, which only we and Consumer Reports will have access to.
If you’re having trouble using the form, click here. Read terms of service here.
