We analyzed tap water quality data for hundreds of cities across the United States to identify the 5 with the most contaminants exceeding health guidelines. This ranking is based on 2026 data from the EPA and EWG databases.
While all public water systems must meet EPA legal limits, many health experts — including the Environmental Working Group — argue that these legal limits are outdated and don't reflect current scientific understanding of safe exposure levels. The cities below have the widest gap between what's in their water and what's considered safe by modern health standards.
Rankings at a Glance
Hialeah Gardens, Florida
Hialeah Gardens has 28 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines out of 59 detected — significantly above the national average. Multiple known carcinogens were found at levels of concern.
See full Hialeah Gardens water report →Corona, California
Corona has 25 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines out of 46 detected — significantly above the national average. Multiple known carcinogens were found at levels of concern.
See full Corona water report →Camden, New Jersey
Camden has 24 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines out of 48 detected — significantly above the national average. Multiple known carcinogens were found at levels of concern.
See full Camden water report →Livingston, New Jersey
Livingston has 24 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines out of 48 detected — significantly above the national average. Multiple known carcinogens were found at levels of concern.
See full Livingston water report →Marshfield, Wisconsin
Marshfield has 24 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines out of 39 detected — significantly above the national average. Multiple known carcinogens were found at levels of concern.
See full Marshfield water report →What We Found: Key Patterns
The most frequently detected contaminants exceeding health guidelines across these cities are Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Chromium (hexavalent). These appear repeatedly across different water systems and regions.
Geographically, the states most represented in this ranking are New Jersey (2), Florida (1), California (1). Regional water sources, industrial activity, and agricultural runoff all contribute to local water quality variation.
Across all ranked cities, 125 contaminant readings exceed EWG health guidelines, but only 8 exceed EPA legal limits. This gap of 117 highlights how legal standards may not fully protect public health — EPA limits haven't been updated for many contaminants in decades.
Full Rankings Table
| Rank | City | State | Detected | Above Guidelines | Above Legal | People Served |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hialeah Gardens | FL | 59 | 28 | 2 | 22,200 |
| 2 | Corona | CA | 46 | 25 | 2 | 168,751 |
| 3 | Camden | NJ | 48 | 24 | 2 | 46,585 |
| 4 | Livingston | NJ | 48 | 24 | 1 | 27,391 |
| 5 | Marshfield | WI | 39 | 24 | 1 | 18,708 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What city has the worst tap water in the US?
Based on 2026 data, Hialeah Gardens, FL has the most contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines among the cities we analyzed.
How are cities ranked in this report?
Cities are ranked by the number of contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines. These guidelines are typically stricter than EPA legal limits and reflect current scientific research on safe exposure levels.
Is my tap water safe if my city isn't on this list?
Not necessarily. Even cities not on this list may have contaminants of concern. We recommend checking your specific water quality using our free water scan tool.
What's the best water filter for contaminated water?
A reverse osmosis (RO) system is the most effective for removing the widest range of contaminants. For whole-home protection, a combination of RO for drinking water and a whole-home filter for showers and baths is recommended.
Related Reports
Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Last updated: April 2026
Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.
