Millions of Americans living in mobile home parks are facing an invisible but urgent crisis—unsafe tap water. Behind the modest façades of thousands of mobile communities across the United States lies a growing public health issue linked to deteriorating water systems, poor regulation, and mounting contamination.
A recent investigative report by ABC News, in collaboration with environmental experts, revealed that mobile home parks are among the most overlooked in terms of water safety, with tens of thousands of residents potentially exposed to unsafe drinking water daily. This revelation has sparked conversations around the role of independent water testing and third-party verification—an area where certified labs like CMDC Labs play a life-saving role.
The Reality Behind the Faucet
While the majority of Americans take for granted that tap water is safe to drink, for residents in mobile home parks, the story is often drastically different. Many of these parks rely on small, privately owned water systems—some dating back to the 1950s or earlier—that are prone to leaks, outdated piping, chemical leaching, and microbial contamination.
Unlike municipal water systems, which are regulated and maintained under strict federal oversight, private water systems serving mobile parks often fall into regulatory gray zones. This has led to a patchwork of compliance, sporadic testing, and in many cases, prolonged exposure to:
- Lead and copper
- Nitrates and nitrites
- PFAS (forever chemicals)
- Coliform bacteria and E. coli
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
In some instances, residents have gone months or even years without access to clean, potable water, relying instead on bottled alternatives or makeshift filtration systems.
ABC News Findings: An Underreported Public Health Emergency
The ABC News investigation highlights mobile home parks from across the country, from rural Alabama to central California, that consistently violated the Safe Drinking Water Act but were never penalized or corrected.
“Over 2 million people in the U.S. who live in mobile home communities rely on small, often unregulated water systems that test positive for hazardous contaminants,” the report states.
Some key findings include:
- Dozens of systems had repeat violations for coliform bacteria and nitrates, particularly harmful for infants and pregnant women.
- Many of the park operators lacked funds or technical expertise to maintain or upgrade water infrastructure.
- Residents had little to no communication from landlords or operators when test results indicated unsafe water.
- In certain parks, boil water notices became permanent signs, rather than emergency advisories.
These findings show a systemic issue that requires more than government intervention—it demands community-level awareness and proactive testing.
Why Independent Water Testing Matters
When local water systems fall short, independent labs become frontline protectors of public health. Certified water testing labs can verify contamination, provide legally defensible data, and empower residents to take action.
Here’s why third-party water testing is vital in mobile home parks:
1. Unbiased Verification
Many mobile park owners conduct internal or outsourced testing, but there’s often a conflict of interest. Independent testing ensures transparency and builds legal credibility in case of litigation, health complaints, or EPA inquiries.
2. Early Detection of Toxic Contaminants
Labs like CMDC Labs offer targeted tests for high-risk contaminants commonly found in mobile park systems, including:
- PFAS chemicals, now linked to cancer and hormone disruption.
- Coliform bacteria, indicating the presence of fecal contamination.
- Lead, which has irreversible effects on children’s brain development.
Regular monitoring enables early intervention and mitigation before issues escalate into full-blown health crises.
3. Support for Regulatory Compliance
While the EPA requires community water systems to meet strict standards, many small systems in mobile parks lack resources or knowledge to comply. Partnering with a third-party lab ensures testing is conducted properly, recorded, and reported—closing the gap between regulation and execution.
4. Empowerment for Residents
Residents have the right to know what’s in their water. Independent testing provides evidence for:
- Filing complaints to local and federal agencies
- Demanding repairs or alternative water sources from landlords
- Advocating for upgrades and public support
With proper data in hand, residents can move from voiceless to empowered.
PFAS and Forever Chemicals: A Silent Invader
One of the most alarming contaminants discovered in mobile park systems is PFAS, a class of synthetic chemicals used in firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, and waterproof clothing. PFAS doesn’t degrade in the environment, and exposure has been linked to:
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Reproductive issues
- Low infant birth weights
- Increased cancer risks
In 2023, the EPA proposed strict limits for PFAS in drinking water—down to 4 parts per trillion—a level so low that many systems must completely overhaul their infrastructure to meet compliance. Yet, many mobile park systems haven’t even tested for PFAS.
CMDC Labs offers specialized PFAS screening through high-sensitivity methods, enabling detection even below EPA thresholds. This kind of precision is essential for residents relying on self-advocacy and legal support.
Water Infrastructure: A Growing National Divide
The mobile park water crisis is a reflection of deeper infrastructure inequities in the U.S. While urban residents benefit from multibillion-dollar water upgrades, low-income, rural, and mobile communities are left behind.
According to the U.S. Water Alliance:
“More than 2 million Americans live without basic access to clean drinking water or sanitation… disproportionately affecting Native American, Latino, and low-income white communities.”
This gap has led to a two-tier system:
- Tier 1: Well-funded, regulated, compliant water systems in urban and suburban neighborhoods.
- Tier 2: Fragile, outdated, poorly monitored systems in mobile parks and rural areas.
Without intervention, the health impacts will continue to worsen, especially as climate change, drought, and industrial pollution increase stress on aging systems.
Action Plan for Mobile Home Communities
To protect vulnerable residents and reduce liability for park operators, CMDC Labs recommends a proactive 5-step plan:
Step 1: Baseline Water Quality Testing
Start with comprehensive screening for microbial, chemical, and heavy metal contaminants.
Step 2: Quarterly Monitoring
Implement a recurring testing schedule to monitor seasonal fluctuations and potential infiltration after storms or drought.
Step 3: PFAS and Emerging Contaminant Screening
Don’t just meet current standards—stay ahead of future EPA regulations.
Step 4: Resident Transparency
Share results with residents using clear, plain-language reporting. Offer educational materials and FAQs.
Step 5: Mitigation Support
Where contaminants are found, assist in identifying cost-effective filtration, treatment, or infrastructure upgrade solutions.
Final Thoughts: Water is a Right, Not a Privilege
The water that comes out of a faucet in a mobile home should be no less safe than the water in a high-rise apartment in Manhattan. Yet for millions, it is.
Clean water is not a luxury—it’s a public health necessity. As we push for equity, sustainability, and transparency in environmental health, independent water testing must be central to the solution.
Whether you’re a park owner seeking to reduce liability, a resident seeking answers, or a health advocate pushing for reform—data-driven testing is the first step toward change.
Verified Sources:
- ABC News Investigation (2024–2025):
“Millions of Americans in mobile home parks lack access to clean water”
[ABC News Report – 2025 Investigation] - U.S. Water Alliance Report (2023):
“Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States”
https://uswateralliance.org/resources/closing-the-water-access-gap-in-the-united-states/ - Environmental Working Group (EWG) PFAS Overview:
https://www.ewg.org/areas-focus/pfas-chemicals - EPA PFAS Regulations & Safe Drinking Water Act Standards:
https://www.epa.gov/sdwa - EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations:
https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations - Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Public Water System Supervision Manual:
https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/safe-drinking-water-act-sdwa
