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 7 contaminant(s) detected in City of Merced's water exceed recommended health guidelines, though they may be within legal limits set by the EPA.
Contaminants Detected
This Utility: 3.34 ppb
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
836x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.004 ppb
0.004 ppb
Chromium (hexavalent)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 3.63 ppb
No Legal Limit
181x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.02 ppb
0.02 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 36.2 ppb
Legal Limit: 60 ppb
362x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
This Utility: 2.32 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
17x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 2.55 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
18x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 1.22 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
1,221x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.001 ppb
0.001 ppb
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.321 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
3.6x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.09 ppb
0.09 ppb
1,2,3-Trichloropropane*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.000196 ppb
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.0007 ppb
0.0007 ppb
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.107 ppb
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 0.0128 ppb
No Legal Limit
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.0417 ppb
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.4 ppb
0.4 ppb
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.0833 ppb
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.05 ppb
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 0.287 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.543 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppt
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.3 ppt
0.3 ppt
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.03 ppb
Legal Limit: 5 ppb
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.05 ppb
0.05 ppb
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.0672 ppb
Legal Limit: 5 ppb
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.283 ppb
Legal Limit: 80 ppb
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.15 ppb
0.15 ppb
This Utility: 0.0019 ppb
No Legal Limit
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 (+13 others)
Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.
Pros
- Lower upfront cost
- Reduced maintenance
Cons
- Does not remove all contaminants
Reverse Osmosis
Filters 7 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 (HAA5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Nitrate | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nitrate and nitrite | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Other Contaminants Detected | |||
| 1,2,3-Trichloropropane* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 1,4-Dioxane | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Barium | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bromodichloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Bromoform | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chlorate* | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Chloroform | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Fluoride | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Manganese | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Molybdenum | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Strontium* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Trichloroethylene | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Vanadium* | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| o-toluidine | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
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.