ASK AMY

Dear Amy: For a research project at school, I need to find out how clean the water is in the area where I live. Where should I look for this type of information? — Charlie H., Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dear Charlie: While most towns and cities have their own water treatment facilities, they are governed by regulations that every state must follow. The Safe Drinking Water Act was passed in 1974 to protect the public’s drinking water supply in the United States. This law sets the safety rules that must be followed to safeguard public health.

The Environmental Protection Agency tests water supplies on a regular basis to ensure that the water is being treated properly and is safe to drink. To learn more about what the EPA does, visit Basic Information About Your Drinking Water, tinyurl.com/ y8zu8gju.

To learn if any contaminants have been found in your particular area, the Environmental Working Group provides a database called EWG’s Tap Water Database, ewg.org/ tapwater. Type in your ZIP code and select your city to download information on its water records. The site will also give details about each contaminant and EWG’s Guide to Safe Drinking Water.