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 15 contaminant(s) detected in Cambridge Water Department (MWRA)'s water exceed recommended health guidelines, though they may be within legal limits set by the EPA.
Contaminants Detected
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 3.41 ppb
No Legal Limit
57x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 4 ppb
No Legal Limit
10x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.4 ppb
0.4 ppb
Chromium (hexavalent)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.0563 ppb
No Legal Limit
2.8x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.02 ppb
0.02 ppb
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 3.24 ppb
No Legal Limit
32x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 6.54 ppb
Legal Limit: 60 ppb
65x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 13.7 ppb
No Legal Limit
228x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 0.35 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
2.5x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 1.96 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
1,960x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.001 ppb
0.001 ppb
This Utility: 0.11 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
18x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.006 ppb
0.006 ppb
This Utility: 2.18 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
7.3x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.3 ppb
0.3 ppb
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 5.96 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
66x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.09 ppb
0.09 ppb
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.21 ppb
Legal Limit: 5 ppb
4.1x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.05 ppb
0.05 ppb
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 11.6 ppb
Legal Limit: 80 ppb
77x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.15 ppb
0.15 ppb
This Utility: 0.12 ppb
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
This Utility: 2.35 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
2000 ppt
2000 ppt
This Utility: 2.08 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 3.44 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 1.78 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.105 ppb
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 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 12 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 15 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+15 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 | |||
| Bromodichloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chloroform | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chromium (hexavalent)* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dibromoacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Dichloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Nitrate | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Other Contaminants Detected | |||
| Aluminum | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Barium | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bromate* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bromide | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Bromoform | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chlorate* | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Fluoride | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Manganese | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Monobromoacetic acid* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Monochloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Nitrite | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Strontium* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trichloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
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.