We have come a long way in how we protect our water since the 1970s, but millions of people in the U.S. still lack access to safe, clean drinking water. Small and isolated systems — like those found in rural or underinvested communities — are especially at risk, but even neighborhoods with updated infrastructure struggle. Whether it’s threatened by contaminants like PFAS or systems going down due to major storms, reliable, clean, and accessible drinking water isn’t a guarantee no matter where you live.