Contaminants Detected
↗
Arsenic
Potential Effect: Cancer
1,398x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.004 ppb
↗
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: Cancer
112x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.06 ppb
↗
Chloroform
Potential Effect: Cancer
30x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.4 ppb
↗
Chromium (hexavalent)
Potential Effect: Cancer
7.5x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.02 ppb
↗
Dibromoacetic acid
Potential Effect:
21x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.03 ppb
↗
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: Cancer
43x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb
↗
Dichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: Cancer
9.5x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.2 ppb
↗
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: Cancer
62x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb
↗
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Potential Effect: Cancer
194x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.06 ppb
↗
Manganese
Potential Effect: Harm To The Brain And Nervous System
2.5x EWG's Health Guideline: 100 ppb
↗
Nitrate
Potential Effect: Cancer
7.5x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.14 ppm
↗
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
Potential Effect:
2,036x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.001 ppt
↗
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
Potential Effect:
129x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.006 ppt
↗
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Potential Effect:
14x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.3 ppt
↗
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: Cancer
98x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.09 ppt
↗
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: Cancer
252x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.15 ppb
↗
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: Cancer
37x EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb
↗
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Potential Effect:
No EWG Health Guideline
↗
1,4-Dioxane
Potential Effect:
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.35 ppb
↗
11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxa undecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)
EWG's Health Guideline: 1 ppt
↗
Aluminum
Potential Effect:
EWG's Health Guideline: 600 ppb
↗
Barium
Potential Effect:
EWG's Health Guideline: 700 ppb
↗
Bromoform
Potential Effect:
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.5 ppb
↗
Chlorate
Potential Effect:
EWG's Health Guideline: 210 ppb
↗
Cobalt
Potential Effect:
EWG's Health Guideline: 70 ppb
↗
Fluoride
Potential Effect:
No EWG Health Guideline
↗
Monochloroacetic acid
EWG's Health Guideline: 53 ppb
↗
N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N-EtFOSAA)
EWG's Health Guideline: 1 ppt
↗
N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)
EWG's Health Guideline: 1 ppt
↗
Pentachlorophenol
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.3 ppb
↗
Perchlorate
EWG's Health Guideline: 1 ppb
↗
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)
EWG's Health Guideline: 2,000 ppt
↗
Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)
EWG's Health Guideline: 1,000 ppt
↗
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.006 ppt
↗
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)
EWG's Health Guideline: 1,000 ppt
↗
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA)
EWG's Health Guideline: 1,000 ppt
↗
Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA)
EWG's Health Guideline: 1,000 ppt
↗
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.006 ppt
↗
Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.006 ppt
↗
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.05 pCi/L
↗
Strontium
EWG's Health Guideline: 1,500 ppb
↗
Trichloroethylene
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.4 ppb
↗
Vanadium
EWG's Health Guideline: 21 ppb
Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.
Find A Filter
Utility: Acton Water Supply District
Carbon Filters
Filters 13 Contaminants Exceeding Guidelines (+16 others)
Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.
Pros
- Lower upfront cost
- Reduced maintenance
Cons
- Does not remove all contaminants
Reverse Osmosis
Filters 16 Contaminants Exceeding Guidelines (+24 others)
Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.
Pros
- Most effective
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
- Requires more maintenance
- Wastes water
Other Considerations
Ion Exchange
PROS: Softens hard water, Reduces some contaminants
CONS: Doesn’t remove all contaminants
Whole-House Filters
PROS: Useful for reducing radiologicals and TCE
CONS: Expensive to install and maintain, Risk of bacterial contamination
Distillation
PROS: Removes heavy metals and harmful microbes
CONS: Does not reduce most contaminants
Explore filter options for each contaminant. See which technologies are effective at reducing specific contaminants to help you make an informed decision on the best water treatment solution for your needs.
Contaminants Above Health Guidelines
| Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bromodichloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Chloroform | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Chromium (Hexavalent) | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA9) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Manganese | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Nitrate | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHXS) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Other Contaminants Detected
| Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| 1,4-Dioxane | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-OxaUndecane-1-Sulfonic Acid (11CL-PF3OUDS) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Aluminum | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Barium | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bromoform | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Chlorate | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Cobalt | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fluoride | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| N-Ethyl Perfluorooctane Sulfonamido Acetic Acid (N-EtFOSAA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| N-Methyl Perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic Acid | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Pentachlorophenol | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perchlorate | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Perfluorobutane Sulfonate (PFBS) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluorodecanoic Acid (PFDA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluoroheptanoic Acid (PFHPA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHXA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPEA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluorotetradecanoic Acid (PFTA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Perfluorotridecanoic Acid (PFTRDA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Radium, Combined (-226 & -228) | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Strontium | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Trichloroethylene | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Vanadium | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |