Regional Disparities and Risk Factors in US Drinking Water Violations: Analyzing Trends From 2006 to 2020

Objective: High-profile cases such as the 2022 drinking water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, along with numerous ongoing wastewater violations in Alabama and elsewhere, raise persistent environmental justice concerns. Despite nearly $40 billion allocated for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure under the 2021 Infrastructure Act, states vary in their ability and willingness to serve historically underserved communities. This study aims to assess the extent to which regions are affected by substandard drinking water and to examine the socio-economic, political, and water system factors associated with these conditions. Method: The study analyzes county-level socio-economic, political, and water system data. It maps drinking water and wastewater violations, identifies counties with violation hotspots, and examines changes in community characteristics in these counties over time to understand patterns of regulatory noncompliance and monitoring. Results: The analysis finds that race and health insurance coverage are associated with drinking water health violations. Contrary to common assumptions, higher income and education levels are also linked to increased health violations, likely reflecting stronger monitoring and reporting. Violations are more closely tracked in counties with larger populations and higher levels of political engagement. Additionally, groundwater systems experience more violations than surface water systems, suggesting differences in monitoring practices and regulatory compliance based on water system type.