How can consumers verify the safety of their drinking water?

Consumers can verify the safety of their drinking water by reviewing annual water quality reports. These reports are typically provided by local water utilities and present detailed information about the water’s source, the treatment processes it has undergone, and the results of water quality testing. They include data on potential contaminants, their levels, and whether these levels exceed established safety standards set by regulatory agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

By consulting these reports, consumers gain insight into the quality of their water supply, any issues that may have been identified, and the measures being taken to ensure its safety. This empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their drinking water based on factual, regulated information, rather than relying on assumptions or indirect sources.

The other options suggest methods that do not provide comprehensive insights into the overall safety and quality of drinking water. For instance, while boiling water can kill pathogens, it does not remove chemical contaminants. Selecting the cheapest water supply or opting for bottled water exclusively does not guarantee safety either, as cost does not correlate with quality, and bottled water is not always more rigorously tested than municipal systems.