Is your tap water safe to drink? This database may have the answer

An environmental nonprofit group has released a new tool to help Americans learn about potentially harmful chemicals in their drinking water.

The national Tap Water Database from the Environmental Working Group contains data for nearly 50,000 public water systems across the U.S. The numbers come from tests conducted between 2010 and 2015 that utilities reported to state agencies and the Environmental Protection Agency. Users can search the database using their zip code or the name of their local utility.

Researchers warn that tap water can contain industrial and agricultural contaminants linked to cancer and developmental defects.

“Just because your tap water gets a passing grade from the government doesn’t always mean it’s safe,” EWG president Ken Cook said in a statement. “It’s time to stop basing environmental regulations on political or economic compromises, and instead listen to what scientists say about the long-term effects of toxic chemicals and empower Americans to protect themselves from pollutants even as they demand the protective action they deserve from government.”

New England states have had several scares of contaminated water in recent years, including in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. According to the Tap Water Database, 30 drinking water utilities in Massachusetts have at least five violations, which includes contaminant levels above and below health guidelines.

The nonprofit also has a list of in-home water filtration systems that help purify tap water.