WaterAnswer.com

Water System Lookup and Contaminant Triage

Start with ZIP code or address to identify your likely water system, then move through contaminant and treatment triage in plain language.

ZIP-First

Fastest route for most households.

Address-First

Use this if your ZIP has multiple utilities.

1. Select State

Start with regional patterns.

2. Pick City

Use city reports and utility maps.

3. Confirm System

Match utility name on your bill.

4. Triage Contaminant

Choose testing and treatment path.

City Water Next Step

Check your CCR and compare detected levels to legal and health benchmarks.

Read CCR guide

Private Well Next Step

Utility databases do not cover private wells. Move directly to testing workflow.

Well testing workflow

Filter Validation

Do not rely on marketing claims. Verify the exact NSF certification listing.

Use NSF checker workflow

Need location drilldown?

Use state -> city -> system -> contaminant browse to narrow likely risk before testing.

Open water quality browser

Need treatment mapping?

Use contaminant-to-treatment matrix based on EPA treatability patterns.

Open treatment matrix

Confidence and limits

  • ZIP/address matches are screening inputs, not legal determinations.
  • Service boundaries and distribution zones can change over time.
  • Tap-level conditions can differ from system averages.

Validate with primary sources

Use this as your first pass: identify likely utility context, then move to contaminant-specific testing and treatment decisions.

For any higher-risk scenario, verify using your official CCR and a certified tap-water test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ZIP code alone identify my exact water provider?
Not always. Some ZIP codes span multiple systems or include private wells. Treat ZIP lookup as first-pass triage, then verify provider name from your bill or CCR.
What if my home is on a private well?
Skip utility lookup and move directly to well testing. Utility CCR data does not represent private well water.
When should I test my tap directly?
If contaminants are near limits, if your home has older plumbing, if taste/odor changes suddenly, or if your household includes infants or medically sensitive people.