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Goldston-Gulf Sanitary Dist - Siler City, NC

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Serves 1,443 people - Test data available: 2004-2009

This drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It is part of EWG's national database that includes 47,667 drinking water utilities and 20 million test results. Water utilities nationwide detected more than 300 pollutants between 2004 and 2009. More than half of these chemicals are unregulated, legal in any amount. Despite this widespread contamination, the federal government invests few resources to protecting rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater from pollution in the first place. The information below summarizes test results for this utility and lists potential health concerns.

	This Drinking Water System	National Average
Exceed Health GuidelinesTests showing chemicals at concentrations above health guidelines established by federal and state health agencies. These guidelines are typically set at a levels that pose no significant health risk.	10 chemicals	4
Health Standard ExceedencesChemicals detected at concentrations above the legal limit, the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCLs) established by the U.S. EPA. Most MCLs are based on annual averages, so exceeding the MCL for one test does not necessarily indicate that the system is out of compliance.	5 chemicals	0.5
Pollutants FoundThe total number of contaminants detected since 2004, according to data provided by the state water agency.	15 chemicals	8
Tests ConductedThe total number of number of water quality tests conducted by water utilities and recorded in data provided by the state water agency.	902 tests	420

Contaminants Exceeding Health Guidelines

Contaminant	Average/ Maximum Result	Health Limit Exceeded	Legal Limit Exceeded	Testing History -Tested      -Detected      -Over Health Guidelines      -Over Legal Limit*
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)Total trihalomethanes constitute the sum of four disinfection byproducts: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform.	98.89 ppb 206.75 ppb	Yes 9.8 ppb	Yes 80 ppb
Total haloacetic acids (HAAs)Total haloacetic acids refers to the sum of the concentrations of five related disinfection byproducts in a water sample: dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monochloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.	70.67 ppb 123 ppb	Yes 0.7 ppb	Yes 60 ppb
ChloroformChloroform is a disinfection byproduct from the trihalomethane (THM) family, and is formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	57.14 ppb 84 ppb	Yes 5.7 ppb	Yes 80 ppb
Monochloroacetic acidMonochloroacetic acid is a disinfection byproduct regulated by EPA as one of five haloacetic acids that are formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	13.74 ppb 100 ppb	Yes 70 ppb	Yes 60 ppb
Trichloroacetic acidTrichloroacetic acid is a disinfection byproduct regulated by EPA as one of five haloacetic acids that are formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	27.87 ppb 68.67 ppb	Yes 20 ppb	Yes 60 ppb
BromodichloromethaneBromodichloromethane is a disinfection byproduct from the trihalomethane (THM) family, and is formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	11.09 ppb 22.5 ppb	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 ppb	No 80 ppb
Dichloroacetic acidDichloroacetic acid is a disinfection byproduct regulated by EPA as one of five haloacetic acids that are formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	33.19 ppb 55 ppb	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 ppb	No 60 ppb
DibromochloromethaneDibromochloromethane is a disinfection byproduct from the trihalomethane (THM) family, and is formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	1.47 ppb 4 ppb	Yes 0.4 ppb	No 80 ppb
Lead (total)Lead is a metal that enters water by corrosion of household plumbing systems, discharge of industrial pollution and erosion of natural deposits.	2.74 ppb 10 ppb	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 ppb	No
CopperCopper is a naturally occuring metal and drinking water contaminant that enters tap water by corrosion of household plumbing systems and erosion of natural deposits.	109.83 ppb 340 ppb	Yes 300 ppb	No 1000 ppb
NOTE: Each dot in the above graph represents one month. * Water utilities are noted as exceeding the legal limit if any test is above the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Most MCLs are based on annual averages so exceeding the MCL for one test does not necessarily indicate that the system is out of compliance.

Other Detected Contaminants

Contaminant	Average/ Maximum Result	Health Limit Exceeded	Legal Limit Exceeded	Testing History -Tested      -Detected      -Over Health Guidelines      -Over Legal Limit*
ChloriteChlorite is a disinfection byproduct resulting from water treatment with chlorine dioxide, or from the use of chlorine dioxide as a bleaching agent for cellulose, paper pulp, flour and oils.	518.97 ppb 780 ppb	No 800 ppb	No 1000 ppb
Dibromoacetic acidDibromoacetic acid is a disinfection byproduct regulated by EPA as one of five haloacetic acids that are formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	1.14 ppb 10 ppb	No	No 60 ppb
Monobromoacetic acidMonobromoacetic acid is a disinfection byproduct regulated by EPA as one of five haloacetic acids that are formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	0.71 ppb 8 ppb	No	No 60 ppb
NitrateNitrate enters drinking water sources from fertilizer runoff, leaching septic tanks, and erosion of natural deposits; it is also emitted by chemical, petrochemical and metal-finishing industries.	0.2 ppm 0.81 ppm	No 10 ppm	No 10 ppm
ManganeseManganese is a naturally occurring element released from mineral deposits as well as industrial use.	9.67 ppb 29 ppb	No 50 ppb	No 50 ppb
NOTE: Each dot in the above graph represents one month. * Water utilities are noted as exceeding the legal limit if any test is above the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Most MCLs are based on annual averages so exceeding the MCL for one test does not necessarily indicate that the system is out of compliance.

Contaminants Not Detected - 105 chemicals

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,1-Dichloropropene, 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 1,3-Dichloropropene, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-d, 3-Hydroxycarbofuran, Alachlor (Lasso), Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfone, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Aldrin, Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Antimony (total), Arsenic (total), Atrazine, Barium (total), Benzene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Beryllium (total), Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromoform, Bromomethane, Butachlor, Cadmium (total), Carbaryl, Carbofuran, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlordane, Chloroethane, Chloromethane, Chromium (total), cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Cyanide, Dalapon, Di(2-Ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Dibromomethane, Dicamba, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dieldrin, Dinoseb, Endrin, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide (EDB), Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Hexachlorobutadiene, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Isopropylbenzene, Lindane, m-Dichlorobenzene, Mercury (total inorganic), Methomyl, Methoxychlor, Metolachlor, Metribuzin, Monochlorobenzene (Chlorobenzene), n-Butylbenzene, n-Propylbenzene, Naphthalene, Nitrite, o-Chlorotoluene, o-Dichlorobenzene, Oxamyl (Vydate), p-Chlorotoluene, p-Dichlorobenzene, p-Isopropyltoluene, Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, Propachlor, Radium-228, sec-Butylbenzene, Selenium (total), Simazine, Styrene, tert-Butylbenzene, Tetrachloroethylene, Thallium (total), Toluene, Total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Toxaphene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Trichloroethylene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total)

Pollution Summary

15	Total Contaminants Detected (2004 - 2009) Chlorite, Copper, Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate, Monochloroacetic acid, Dichloroacetic acid, Trichloroacetic acid, Monobromoacetic acid, Dibromoacetic acid, Total haloacetic acids (HAAs), Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
1	Agricultural Pollutants (pesticides, fertilizer, factory farms) Nitrate
3	Sprawl and Urban Pollutants (road runoff, lawn pesticides, human waste) Copper, Lead (total), Nitrate
4	Industrial Pollutants Chlorite, Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate
11	Water Treatment and Distribution Byproducts (pipes and fixtures, treatment chemicals and byproducts) Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Total haloacetic acids (HAAs), Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, Dichloroacetic acid, Trichloroacetic acid, Dibromoacetic acid, Monochloroacetic acid, Monobromoacetic acid, Chlorite
4	Naturally Occurring (naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development) Nitrate, Copper, Lead (total), Manganese
1	Unregulated Contaminants EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for these contaminants Lead (total)

EPA Violation Summary

Violation Category	Number of Violations
MCL and Treatment (click see violations)close	27
Violation Date of Violation Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2005/10/01 - 2005/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2005/04/01 - 2005/06/30 Other Non-National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Potential Health Risks 2005/05/19 - 2006/06/08 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2006/01/01 - 2006/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2006/01/01 - 2006/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2006/04/01 - 2006/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2006/04/01 - 2006/06/30 Other Non-National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Potential Health Risks 2006/08/11 - 2025/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2006/07/01 - 2006/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2006/07/01 - 2006/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2006/10/01 - 2006/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2006/10/01 - 2006/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2007/01/01 - 2007/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2007/01/01 - 2007/03/31 Other Non-National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Potential Health Risks 2007/09/12 - 2025/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2007/04/01 - 2007/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2007/04/01 - 2007/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2007/07/01 - 2007/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2007/07/01 - 2007/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2007/10/01 - 2007/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2007/10/01 - 2007/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2008/01/01 - 2008/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2008/01/01 - 2008/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2008/04/01 - 2008/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2008/04/01 - 2008/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2008/07/01 - 2008/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2008/07/01 - 2008/09/30
Reporting (click see violations)close	12
Violation Date of Violation Failure to report information to the public or state agency in the Consumer Confidence Report 2004/07/01 - 2004/10/04 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2006/08/05 - 2008/03/14 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2006/05/18 - 2008/03/14 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2007/01/25 - 2007/02/01 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2006/10/23 - 2008/03/14 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2007/03/19 - 2008/05/14 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2007/03/19 - 2008/06/03 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2007/08/09 - 2025/12/31 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2007/07/27 - 2008/02/12 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2007/09/12 - 2025/12/31 Inadequate reporting of information to the public 2007/10/01 - 2007/12/10 Public Notification Violation for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2008/01/19 - 2025/12/31
Monitoring (click see violations)close	7
Violation Date of Violation Monitoring and Reporting Disinfection Byproduct Rule Carbon, Total-Organic 2006/01/01 - 2006/03/31 Monitoring and Reporting Disinfection Byproduct Rule Carbon, Total-Organic 2006/04/01 - 2006/06/30 Follow-up and Routine Tap Sampling 2006/10/01 - 2025/12/31 Monitoring and Reporting Disinfection Byproduct Rule Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 2007/04/01 - 2007/06/30 Monitoring and Reporting Disinfection Byproduct Rule Total haloacetic acids (HAAs) 2007/04/01 - 2007/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Nitrate 2007/01/01 - 2007/12/31 Monitoring and Reporting Disinfection Byproduct Rule Carbon, Total-Organic 2007/10/01 - 2007/12/31

Information on violations is drawn directly from EPA's national violations database in the Agency's Safe Drinking Water Information System. Analyses by others have raised questions about the quality of the information in EPA's database. For the purposes of this investigation, EWG is not showing below or including in our analyses, those violations for individual water suppliers that occurred on days for which the total number of violations assigned by EPA to that water supplier was greater than 20. This criteria was based on common characteristics of incorrect violations data as identified by water utilities, from a review of EPA's violations data by several hundred utilities prior to the release of EWG's investigation.