Overview
Legal does not necessarily equal safe.
- Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.
- Legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.
- The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of source water in the first place.
AquaPura's analysis shows 17 contaminant(s) detected in Pelham Water Works's water exceed recommended health guidelines, though they may be within legal limits set by the EPA.
Contaminants Detected
1,2,3-Trichloropropane*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.0192 ppb
No Legal Limit
27x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.0007 ppb
0.0007 ppb
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.217 ppb
No Legal Limit
3.6x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 497.5 ppb
Legal Limit: 1000 ppb
10x
EWG's Health Guideline:
50 ppb
50 ppb
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.95 ppb
No Legal Limit
2.4x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.4 ppb
0.4 ppb
Chromium (hexavalent)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.177 ppb
No Legal Limit
8.9x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.02 ppb
0.02 ppb
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.5 ppb
No Legal Limit
5x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 26.9 ppb
Legal Limit: 60 ppb
269x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 31.5 ppb
No Legal Limit
526x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 1.08 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
7.7x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 1.1 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
7.9x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 0.388 ppt
No Legal Limit
65x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.006 ppb
0.006 ppb
This Utility: 0.92 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
920x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.001 ppb
0.001 ppb
This Utility: 0.269 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
45x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.006 ppb
0.006 ppb
This Utility: 1.69 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
5.6x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.3 ppb
0.3 ppb
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.933 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
10x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.09 ppb
0.09 ppb
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.2 ppb
Legal Limit: 5 ppb
4x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.05 ppb
0.05 ppb
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 49.4 ppb
Legal Limit: 80 ppb
330x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.15 ppb
0.15 ppb
This Utility: 0.0833 ppb
Legal Limit: 7 ppb
This Utility: 0.0833 ppb
No Legal Limit
This Utility: 0.0833 ppb
No Legal Limit
This Utility: 0.0833 ppb
No Legal Limit
This Utility: 0.0833 ppb
No Legal Limit
This Utility: 1.61 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
2000 ppt
2000 ppt
This Utility: 16.9 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.075 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.869 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 38.5 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.0833 ppb
Legal Limit: 100 ppb
EWG's Health Guideline:
60 ppb
60 ppb
Find a Filter
See which water filtration technologies are effective at reducing the contaminants detected in this utility's water supply.
Carbon Filters
Filters 13 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+17 others)
Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.
Pros
- Lower upfront cost
- Reduced maintenance
Cons
- Does not remove all contaminants
Reverse Osmosis
Filters 17 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+23 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
Explore filter options for each contaminant. See which technologies are effective at reducing specific contaminants.
| Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminants Above Health Guidelines | |||
| 1,2,3-Trichloropropane* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Bromodichloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chlorite | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chloroform | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chromium (hexavalent)* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Nitrate | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nitrate and nitrite | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Other Contaminants Detected | |||
| 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane* | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 1,1-Dichloroethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 1,1-Dichloropropene* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 1,3-Dichloropropane* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 1,4-Dioxane | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 2,2-Dichloropropane* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Aluminum | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Barium | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bromochloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Bromoform | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Carbon tetrachloride | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chlorate* | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Fluoride | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Manganese | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Molybdenum | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Strontium* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trichloroethylene | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Vanadium* | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Xylenes (total) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
Protect your family's health.
Don't wait for your utility to improve. Get a free water analysis from AquaPura and find the right filtration system for your home.