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 14 contaminant(s) detected in Philadelphia Water Department'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: 10 ppb
No Legal Limit
167x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 29.7 ppb
No Legal Limit
74x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.4 ppb
0.4 ppb
Chromium (hexavalent)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 0.388 ppb
No Legal Limit
19x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.02 ppb
0.02 ppb
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 2.46 ppb
No Legal Limit
25x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 34.7 ppb
Legal Limit: 60 ppb
347x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)*
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 36.9 ppb
No Legal Limit
615x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.06 ppb
0.06 ppb
This Utility: 2.16 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
15x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.14 ppb
0.14 ppb
This Utility: 0.9 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppb
150x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.006 ppb
0.006 ppb
This Utility: 2.07 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
6.9x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.3 ppb
0.3 ppb
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 4.07 ppt
Legal Limit: 4 ppb
45x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.09 ppb
0.09 ppb
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 42.3 ppb
Legal Limit: 80 ppb
282x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.15 ppb
0.15 ppb
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer
This Utility: 20 ppb
No Legal Limit
200x
EWG's Health Guideline:
0.1 ppb
0.1 ppb
This Utility: 0.057 ppt
No Legal Limit
This Utility: 0.722 ppb
Legal Limit: 100 ppb
This Utility: 0.1 ppt
No Legal Limit
This Utility: 2.51 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
2000 ppt
2000 ppt
This Utility: 1.44 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.63 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 3.84 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 4.04 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline:
1000 ppt
1000 ppt
This Utility: 0.016 ppt
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 12 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+12 others)
Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.
Pros
- Lower upfront cost
- Reduced maintenance
Cons
- Does not remove all contaminants
Reverse Osmosis
Filters 14 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 | |||
| Bromodichloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chloroform | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chromium (hexavalent)* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dibromoacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Dichloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Nitrate | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Trichloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Other Contaminants Detected | |||
| 1,4-Dioxane | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 1-Butanol | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 4-Androstene-3,17-dione* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Antimony | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Barium | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bromoform | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Chlorate* | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Chromium (total) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ethinyl estradiol* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Fluoride | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Manganese | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Molybdenum | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monobromoacetic acid* | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Monochloroacetic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Strontium* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Testosterone | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
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.