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Rochester Water Department

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Contaminants Detected

EXCEED GUIDELINES

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 33.3 ppb

No Legal Limit

554x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.06 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of nine haloacetic acids includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid, which are regulated as a group by the federal government (HAA5); and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid, and tribromoacetic acid.

more about this contaminant

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) was found at 554 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

33.3 ppb

National Average

23.7 ppb

State Average

16.1 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for the group of nine haloacetic acids, or HAA9, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level as . This health guideline protects against cancer.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2018-2021.

ppb = parts per billion
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.629 ppt

Proposed Legal Limit: 4 ppt

7x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.09 ppt

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOA and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

more about this contaminant

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was found at 7 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.09 ppt or less

This Utility

0.629 ppt

Proposed Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

0.796 ppt

State Average

3.17 ppt

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.09 ppt for PFOA was was defined by EPA's final toxicity value from the Office of Water’s Final Human Health Toxicity Assessment. This health guideline protects againat cardiovascular harm and harm to fetal growth.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2024.

ppt = parts per trillion
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

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.

OTHER DETECTED

Chlorate

This Utility: 227.4 ppb

No Legal Limit

EWG's Health Guideline: 210 ppb

Chlorate

Chlorate forms in drinking water as a byproduct of disinfection. Chlorate impairs thyroid function, making chlorate exposure most harmful during pregnancy and childhood.

more about this contaminant

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

210 ppb or less

This Utility

227.4 ppb

National Average

116.8 ppb

State Average

167.5 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 210 ppb for chlorate was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a benchmark for testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. This health guideline protects against hormone disruption.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2023.

ppb = parts per billion
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Industry

Treatment Byproducts

Chromium (hexavalent)

This Utility: 0.0288 ppb

No Legal Limit

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.02 ppb

Chromium (hexavalent)

Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. Read more about chromium (hexavalent).

more about this contaminant

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

0.02 ppb or less

This Utility

0.0288 ppb

National Average

0.44 ppb

State Average

0.0718 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2023.

ppb = parts per billion
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Manganese

This Utility: 64.1 ppb

No Legal Limit

EWG's Health Guideline: 100 ppb

Manganese

Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is common in food and drinking water. Excessive manganese exposures may impair children's attention, memory and intellectual capacity. Click here to read more about manganese.

more about this contaminant

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

100 ppb or less

This Utility

64.1 ppb

National Average

8.66 ppb

State Average

33.9 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 100 ppb for manganese was defined by the state of Minnesota as a health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2023.

ppb = parts per billion
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Ion Exchange

N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N-EtFOSAA)

This Utility: 0.713 ppt

No Legal Limit

EWG's Health Guideline: 1 ppt

N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N-EtFOSAA)

N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N-EtFOSAA) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. N-EtFOSAA and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

more about this contaminant

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

0.713 ppt

National Average

0.002 ppt

State Average

0.044 ppt

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for N-EtFOSAA was defined by EWG as based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2018-2024.

ppt = parts per trillion
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

This Utility: 0.373 ppt

Proposed Legal Limit: 4 ppt

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.3 ppt

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

more about this contaminant

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

0.3 ppt or less

This Utility

0.373 ppt

Proposed Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

1.15 ppt

State Average

0.553 ppt

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.3 ppt for PFOS was defined by EPA's final toxicity value from the Office of Water’s Final Human Health Toxicity Assessment. This health guideline protects againat cardiovascular harm and harm to fetal growth.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2024.

ppt = parts per trillion
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Strontium

This Utility: 0.0271 ppb

No Legal Limit

EWG's Health Guideline: 1,500 ppb

Strontium

Strontium is a metal that accumulates in the bones. Radioactive strontium-90 can cause bone cancer and leukemia, and any form of strontium at high doses can harm bone health.

more about this contaminant

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

1,500 ppb or less

This Utility

0.0271 ppb

National Average

0.488 ppb

State Average

0.0767 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 1,500 ppb for strontium was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a benchmark for testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. This health guideline protects against harm to bones.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2023.

ppb = parts per billion
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Vanadium

This Utility: 0.0750 ppb

No Legal Limit

EWG's Health Guideline: 21 ppb

Vanadium

Vanadium is a metal used in steels and other alloys. People are commonly exposed to vanadium in water and food. Excessive exposure can be toxic during pregnancy and childhood.

more about this contaminant

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

21 ppb or less

This Utility

0.075 ppb

National Average

1.54 ppb

State Average

0.191 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 21 ppb for vanadium was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a benchmark for testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. This health guideline protects against change in blood chemistry.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2023.

ppb = parts per billion
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Ion Exchange

Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.

Other Contaminants Tested

✕

Chemicals tested for but not detected:

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,1-Dichloropropene, 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene (hemellitol), 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3-Butadiene, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 1,4-Dioxane, 1-butanol, 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic aci, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-D, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-propen-1-ol, 3-Hydroxycarbofuran, 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic zcid (DONA), 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (, Alachlor (Lasso), Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfone, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Aldrin, Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, Antimony, Arsenic, Atrazine, Baygon (Propoxur), Benzene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Beryllium, Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromoform, Bromomethane, Butachlor, Butylated hydroxyanisole, Cadmium, Carbaryl, Carbofuran, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlordane, Chlorodifluoromethane, Chloromethane, Chlorpyriphos, Chromium (total), cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, cis-1,3-Dichloropropene, Cobalt, Cyanide, Dalapon, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Dibromoacetic acid, Dibromomethane, Dicamba, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dieldrin, Dimethipin, Dinoseb, Diquat, Endrin, Ethoprop, Ethyl ether, Ethyl tert-butyl ether, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide, Germanium, Glyphosate, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Hexachlorobutadiene, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Hexachloroethane, Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), Isopropyl ether, Isopropylbenzene, Lindane, m-Dichlorobenzene, Mercury (inorganic), Methiocarb, Methomyl, Methoxychlor, Metolachlor, Metribuzin, Molybdenum, Monobromoacetic acid, Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene), MTBE, n-Butylbenzene, N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, n-Propylbenzene, Naphthalene, Nitrate, Nitrite, o-Chlorotoluene, o-Dichlorobenzene, o-toluidine, Oxamyl (Vydate), Oxyflurofen, p-Chlorotoluene, p-Dichlorobenzene, p-Isopropyltoluene, Pentachlorophenol, Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA), Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA), Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), Permethrin, Picloram, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Profenofos, Propachlor, Quinoline, sec-Butylbenzene, Selenium, Simazine, Styrene, Tebuconazole, tert-Amyl methyl ether, tert-Butyl alcohol, tert-Butylbenzene, Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), Tetrahydrofuran, Thallium, Toluene, Toxaphene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,3-Dichloropropene, Tribufos, Trichloroethylene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total)

Find A Filter

Utility: 

Rochester Water Department
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Carbon Filters

FILTERS 2 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+2 others)

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Lower upfront cost
  • Reduced maintenance

cons

  • Does not remove all contaminants

Reverse Osmosis

FILTERS 2 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+4 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 activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
Chlorate
Chromium (hexavalent)
Manganese
N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N-EtFOSAA)
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Strontium
Vanadium