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 City of Winston-Salem'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: 6.94 ppb
No Legal Limit
116x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 39.9 ppb
No Legal Limit
100x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.4 ppb
0.4 ppb
Chromium (hexavalent)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.0523 ppb
No Legal Limit
2.6x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.02 ppb
0.02 ppb
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.39 ppb
No Legal Limit
3.9x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 30 ppb
Legal Limit: 60 ppb
300x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 31.2 ppb
No Legal Limit
521x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 1.12 ppt
No Legal Limit
187x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.006 ppb
0.006 ppb
This Utility: 0.447 ppt
No Legal Limit
7.5x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 0.247 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
247x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.001 ppb
0.001 ppb
This Utility: 0.173 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
29x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.006 ppb
0.006 ppb
This Utility: 0.923 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
3.1x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.3 ppb
0.3 ppb
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.578 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
6.4x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.09 ppb
0.09 ppb
This Utility: 0.167 ppt
No Legal Limit
28x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.006 ppb
0.006 ppb
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 47.2 ppb
Legal Limit: 80 ppb
315x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.15 ppb
0.15 ppb
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 11.9 ppb
No Legal Limit
119x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
This Utility: 0.587 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.4 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.993 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.067 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1 ppt
1 ppt
This Utility: 1.16 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 15 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+6 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 (+8 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 | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Dichloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Trichloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Other Contaminants Detected | |||
| Chlorate* | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Fluoride | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Manganese | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Monochloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 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.