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 9 contaminant(s) detected in Metropolitan DWID's water exceed recommended health guidelines, though they may be within legal limits set by the EPA.
Contaminants Detected
This Utility: 1.04 ppb
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
259x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.004 ppb
0.004 ppb
Chromium (hexavalent)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.219 ppb
No Legal Limit
11x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.02 ppb
0.02 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 2.48 ppb
No Legal Limit
41x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 2.49 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
18x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 1.65 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
12x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 0.195 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
195x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.001 ppb
0.001 ppb
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.28 ppb
Legal Limit: 5 ppb
5.6x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.05 ppb
0.05 ppb
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 2.41 ppb
Legal Limit: 80 ppb
16x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.15 ppb
0.15 ppb
This Utility: 0.129 ppb
No Legal Limit
This Utility: 0.0665 ppb
Legal Limit: 6 ppb
EWG's Health Guideline:
3 ppb
3 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.167 ppb
Legal Limit: 60 ppb
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
This Utility: 0.435 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
2000 ppt
2000 ppt
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.0701 ppb
Legal Limit: 5 ppb
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 0.129 ppb
Legal Limit: 70 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 3 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+10 others)
Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.
Pros
- Lower upfront cost
- Reduced maintenance
Cons
- Does not remove all contaminants
Reverse Osmosis
Filters 8 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+19 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 | |||
| Arsenic | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chromium (hexavalent)* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Nitrate | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nitrate and nitrite | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Other Contaminants Detected | |||
| 1,1-Dichloroethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 1,4-Dioxane | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Antimony | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Barium | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chlorate* | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Ethylbenzene | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Fluoride | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Germanium | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Lithium | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manganese | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Molybdenum | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Strontium* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Styrene | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Thallium | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trichloroethylene | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Vanadium* | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Xylenes (total) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| cis-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.