Municipal Drinking Water Testing: Trends We’re Seeing for 2026
By Ryan Jones, Directory of Laboratory Operations - PA & OH, Brad Nelson, Director of Laboratory Operations - IL & WI, & Dan Roettger, Director of Laboratory Operations - MI
Municipalities are facing evolving drinking water testing expectations in 2026 as regulations, contaminants of concern, and public health pressures change. So, our team has compiled some practical, testing-focused recommendations grounded in current regulatory requirements and reported trends. As always, if you have any questions, our team is ready to connect.
1. Going Beyond Minimum Compliance: Risk-Based Testing
This pivot is crucial. Rather than relying solely on minimum compliance sampling, municipalities would be best served to adopt “risk-informed monitoring plans” that account for system history, vulnerability points, and distribution dynamics.
While regulatory frameworks define baseline compliance schedules under the Safe Drinking Water Act, compliance alone doesn’t fully protect residents—or the municipality itself. Public health risk shows up in patterns, not single samples. Most drinking water issues don’t announce themselves with one bad result.
They emerge over time:
- Gradual loss of disinfectant residual
- Seasonal microbial pressure
- Slowly increasing contaminant concentrations
The takeaway? Let historical data and system conditions guide where and how often you sample, especially in areas more likely to experience stagnation or low residuals.
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2. Making PFAS Monitoring a Standard Practice
With growing pressure from states, PFAS testing is becoming a routine part of municipal water quality programs. Municipalities that begin testing early can establish baseline concentrations, identify system-specific exposure patterns, build defensible data before compliance deadlines, and plan treatment or mitigation strategies proactively—rather than reacting under regulatory or public pressure.
The takeaway? Begin PFAS testing early to establish a baseline, keep monitoring as requirements evolve, and use EPA-approved methods, so results stay consistent.
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3. Testing Distribution Systems, Not Just Entry Points
Drinking water quality issues often originate after the treatment plant — in storage tanks, low-flow zones, and segments of the distribution system where disinfectant residuals drop or stagnation occurs.
While specific new federal distribution rules are still under review, regulatory analysis from EPA’s six-year review process highlights the importance of managing disinfectant residuals and byproducts throughout the system.
The takeaway? Test water quality at key points throughout the distribution system — not just at the plant — particularly after system changes or maintenance activities.
4. Prioritizing Data Quality, Documentation, & Transparency
Strong testing programs depend not just on frequency, but on defensible data. Municipalities are increasingly expected to provide transparent, well-documented results — especially when test outcomes are subject to public records requests, audits, or community scrutiny.
Municipal monitoring plans should emphasize correct sampling techniques, quality assurance/quality control, and lab accreditation. This builds confidence with regulators and the public alike.
The takeaway? Work with accredited laboratories (for example, Metiri), maintain robust chain-of-custody practices, and document your sampling and analytical methods for every dataset.
5. Driving Deeper Testing Partnerships
Municipal water utilities increasingly rely on external laboratories not only for analysis, but also for sampling strategy, method development, and result interpretation. Particularly amid staffing constraints and evolving regulatory schedules, strong lab partnerships help municipalities bridge internal capacity gaps while adding technical expertise that strengthens overall testing strategy and decision-making.
The takeaway? Engage with your lab partner early and often. Involve them in sampling plan design, method selection, and post-analytical interpretation. Plus, check and see if “lunch and learns” are available for your team to learn about more localized trends.
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Established in 2019, Metiri Group has focused on using full-service environmental laboratories to deliver testing services to inform the decisions that improve the lives of people and the planet.
In addition to its analytical capabilities, Metiri Group aims to deliver exceptional value to a range of clients, from industrial and corporate clients, municipal water systems, environmental consultants and engineers, and local, state and federal government. Metiri Group continues to strive to be the first choice for environmental analytical laboratory services.
