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 16 contaminant(s) detected in IL American - East St. Louis's water exceed recommended health guidelines, though they may be within legal limits set by the EPA.
Contaminants Detected
This Utility: 0.4 ppb
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
100x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.004 ppb
0.004 ppb
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 4.72 ppb
No Legal Limit
79x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 22.6 ppb
No Legal Limit
57x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.4 ppb
0.4 ppb
Chromium (hexavalent)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.0483 ppb
No Legal Limit
2.4x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.02 ppb
0.02 ppb
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.358 ppb
No Legal Limit
3.6x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 19.3 ppb
Legal Limit: 60 ppb
193x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 20.6 ppb
No Legal Limit
343x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 2.96 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
21x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 2.96 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
21x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 1.57 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
5.2x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.3 ppb
0.3 ppb
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 1.34 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
15x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.09 ppb
0.09 ppb
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.59 ppb
Legal Limit: 5 ppb
12x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.05 ppb
0.05 ppb
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 27.7 ppb
Legal Limit: 80 ppb
185x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.15 ppb
0.15 ppb
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 7.15 ppb
No Legal Limit
71x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
This Utility: 0.075 ppb
No Legal Limit
This Utility: 1.18 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
2000 ppt
2000 ppt
This Utility: 13.6 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 1.85 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 1.05 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
Find a Filter
See which water filtration technologies are effective at reducing the contaminants detected in this utility's water supply.
Carbon Filters
Filters 11 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+7 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 (+12 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 | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bromodichloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chloroform | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chromium (hexavalent)* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dibromoacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Dichloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Nitrate | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nitrate and nitrite | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Trichloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Other Contaminants Detected | |||
| 1,4-Dioxane | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 2-Methoxyethanol | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Atrazine* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chlorate* | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Fluoride | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Lithium | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manganese | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Molybdenum | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monochloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Strontium* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vanadium* | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
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.