Local water suppliers are required to notify you if there is a problem with your drinking water. In addition, if you suspect a problem, you can hire a laboratory to analyze your drinking water. Yes, alternative sources of water are available. Bottled water is sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. Some companies lease or sell water dispensers or bubblers and regularly deliver large bottles of water to homes and businesses.
Bottled water is very expensive compared to water from a public water system.
Bottled water quality varies among brands, because of variations in the source water used, costs, and company practices. FDA imposes quality standards that are equivalent to EPA's drinking water standards. Source water and product water must be periodically sampled and analyzed for compliance with quality standards for microbiological contaminants, radionuclides, organics and inorganics. FDA has adopted regulations to ensure fair labeling practices. These include standard definitions for sources such as mineral water, artesian water, ground water, and distilled water.