Unfiltered Tap Water

Name: Unfiltered Tap Water
Brand: Municipal Water

PFR Grade

Poor — significant plastic content, use with caution

Contains PFAS, chlorine, chloramine, lead (in older pipes), and microplastics. The EWG Tap Water Database has found over 300 contaminants in US tap water. Unfiltered tap water is the most common source of PFAS exposure.

PFR Caution

Unfiltered tap water from municipal water supply. Contains PFAS, chlorine, chloramine, lead, and microplastics.

Score Breakdown

How scores are calculated

Materials (40%): How plastic-free the product is — raw materials, construction, and coatings.

Packaging (20%): Is the product packaged in plastic? Is it recyclable?

Transparency (20%): Does the brand disclose ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing?

Durability (20%): How long does it last? Longer-lasting products reduce plastic waste over time.

Materials

Packaging

Transparency

Durability

$0See Safer Alternatives in Water

This is a rating of this specific product only — not the company. Other products from this brand may score differently.

Last updated: April 6, 2026

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Critical Exposure Risk — Why This Product Category Matters

Tap water in the US contains PFAS, chlorine, chloramine, lead, and microplastics. A quality water filter is the most impactful single purchase for reducing chemical exposure.

Synthetic Plastic Content

synthetic plastic by weight

Why We Rated It This Way

Unfiltered tap water contains PFAS (detected in 45% of US tap water by USGS), chlorine, chloramine, lead (in older pipes), and microplastics. A quality water filter (reverse osmosis or activated carbon) is the most impactful single purchase for reducing chemical exposure.

Chemical & Health Analysis

Each chemical of concern is broken down below — what it is, where it comes from in this product, what it does to the body, and who is most at risk.

Contains:Microplastics in water

PFAS

Source

PFAS contamination in unfiltered municipal tap water

Health Risk

Cancer, thyroid disease, immune system disruption

Who Is Most At Risk45% of US households drinking unfiltered tap water

Peer-Reviewed Sources

All health claims are based on published, peer-reviewed research from the NIH, WHO, IARC, and peer-reviewed journals. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.