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 13 contaminant(s) detected in Maryland American Water Company'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: 4.03 ppb
No Legal Limit
67x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 10.8 ppb
No Legal Limit
27x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.4 ppb
0.4 ppb
Chromium (hexavalent)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.101 ppb
No Legal Limit
5x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.02 ppb
0.02 ppb
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 1.01 ppb
No Legal Limit
10x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 36.6 ppb
Legal Limit: 60 ppb
366x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 34.1 ppb
No Legal Limit
569x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 3.68 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
26x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 3.61 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
26x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 0.567 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
567x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.001 ppb
0.001 ppb
This Utility: 3.17 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
11x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.3 ppb
0.3 ppb
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 2.53 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
28x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.09 ppb
0.09 ppb
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.5 ppb
Legal Limit: 5 ppb
9.9x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.05 ppb
0.05 ppb
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 41.5 ppb
Legal Limit: 80 ppb
276x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.15 ppb
0.15 ppb
This Utility: 1.2 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1 ppt
1 ppt
This Utility: 0.717 ppb
No Legal Limit
This Utility: 3.1 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
2000 ppt
2000 ppt
This Utility: 2.48 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.683 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 3.47 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 9 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+8 others)
Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.
Pros
- Lower upfront cost
- Reduced maintenance
Cons
- Does not remove all contaminants
Reverse Osmosis
Filters 13 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+11 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)* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Nitrate | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nitrate and nitrite | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Other Contaminants Detected | |||
| 1,4-Dioxane | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 2,4-D | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (6:2 FTSA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chlorate* | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Chloroethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Fluoride | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Manganese | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 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.