Millions in U.S. Mobile Home Parks Face Unsafe Drinking Water

Millions in U.S. Mobile Home Parks Face Unsafe Drinking Water
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Millions of Americans living in mobile home parks face higher risks of contaminated drinking water, according to an investigation by the Associated Press. Nearly 70% of mobile home parks operating their own water systems violated federal safe drinking water standards in the past five years, surpassing the rate of violations among public utilities.

These communities, often located in rural areas, suffer from aging infrastructure, lack of oversight, and under-regulated water systems. In some parks, residents have endured years of exposure to water containing contaminants like arsenic—at levels up to ten times the federal limit—without their knowledge.

In one Utah park, state officials discovered the contamination only after years of exposure, prompting a nearly decade-long “do-not-drink” order. Residents often own their homes but rent the land, making it difficult to relocate, even under hazardous conditions.

Reports from multiple states describe raw sewage backups, brown or tea-colored water, and frequent outages. Some residents resort to bottled water out of fear for their health. According to the report, the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, passed over 50 years ago, does not adequately address the unique challenges of these private water systems. Many small parks are unlisted in EPA databases or miscategorized, complicating oversight.

While states like Utah and Colorado have introduced stricter regulations and mandatory water testing, most states offer limited support. Experts argue for stronger monitoring and infrastructure improvements, warning that millions remain without access to safe, reliable drinking water—an issue that cuts across economic, political, and social boundaries.