National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Methane
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Methane is formed during the decay of organic matter; as the principal component of natural gas, it is used as a fuel and in the manufacture of synthetic chemicals.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 1 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 1 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 750 |
- |
- |
Methane Exposure by State
Water utilities in 1 states have reported detecting Methane in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Methane contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| New York | 1 | 750 |
| Total | 1 | 750 |
The Most Polluted Communities
1 water utilities reported detecting Methane in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Methane level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belfast Water District Belfast, NY | 750 | 6 of 6 | 10515.83 ppb (255 to 25400 ppb) |
Testing Summary for Methane
| Are tests routinely required for Methane by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Methane (2005-2009): | 2 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2005-2009): | 0.7 per year |