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Hammonton Water Dept - Atlantic City, NJ

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Serves 12,180 people - Test data available: 2004-2006

This drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. 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.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection did not respond to requests for more recent test data. Contact your water utility for the latest water quality report.

	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.	14 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.	4 chemicals	0.5
Pollutants FoundThe total number of contaminants detected since 2004, according to data provided by the state water agency.	24 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.	2,007 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*
AluminumAluminum is a metal released from metal refineries and mining operations.	255.81 ppb 335 ppb	Yes 200 ppb	Yes 200 ppb
Combined Radium (-226 & -228)Radium is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits.	4.34 pCi/L 5.48 pCi/L	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 pCi/L	Yes 5 pCi/L
Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium)Alpha particles are a form of radiation associated with radioactive mining waste pollutants and natural sources.	12.55 pCi/L 15.51 pCi/L	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 pCi/L	Yes 15 pCi/L
Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium)Alpha particles are a form of radiation associated with mining waste pollutants and natural sources.	12.71 pCi/L 15.53 pCi/L	Yes	Yes 15 pCi/L
TetrachloroethyleneTetrachloroethylene (perc) is a common soil and groundwater contaminant used in dry cleaning and as a solvent in automotive and metalworking factories and other industries.	0.38 ppb 0.81 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 5 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.	0.13 ppb 1.81 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
BromoformBromoform 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.	0.17 ppb 1.78 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
Combined Uranium (mg/L)Uranium is a radioactive element commonly found in most rocks; processed uranium ore is used for power generation and weapons manufacture.	7.97 ppb 14.27 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 30 ppb
Radium-226Radium-226 is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits.	2.62 pCi/L 3.13 pCi/L	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 pCi/L	No 5 pCi/L
Radium-228Radium-228 is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits.	1.72 pCi/L 2.34 pCi/L	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 pCi/L	No 5 pCi/L
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.	0.25 ppb 2.28 ppb	Yes 0.4 ppb	No 80 ppb
1,2,3-Trichloropropane1,2,3-Trichloropropane is an industrial solvent, degreasing agent, and paint and varnish remover.	<0.01 ppb 0.01 ppb	Yes <0.01 ppb	Legal at any levelThis is the Federal Limit. State Limits may be lower.
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.	0.1 ppb 1.24 ppb	Yes 0.7 ppb	No 60 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.	1.3 ppb 4.9 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
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*
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.	1.81 ppm 3.23 ppm	No 10 ppm	No 10 ppm
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)Total trihalomethanes constitute the sum of four disinfection byproducts: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform.	0.61 ppb 5.66 ppb	No 9.8 ppb	No 80 ppb
Combined Uranium (pCi/L)Uranium is a radioactive element commonly found in most rocks; processed ore is used for power generation and weapons manufacture.	0.16 pCi/L 0.63 pCi/L	No	No 15 pCi/L
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.	0.04 ppb 0.8 ppb	No 5.7 ppb	No 80 ppb
TolueneToluene is a pollutant from petroleum refineries and a chemical used in plastics manufacturing as well as the pharmaceutical, paint and furniture industries.	0.04 ppb 0.37 ppb	No 150 ppb	No 1000 ppb
ManganeseManganese is a naturally occurring element released from mineral deposits as well as industrial use.	9.84 ppb 33.1 ppb	No 50 ppb	No 50 ppb
ChloromethaneChloromethane is a naturally occuring chemical that forms during combustion of plant material; it may be released from the manufacture of silicone, rubber and pesticides, and also forms as a byproduct of water disinfection.	0.02 ppb 0.35 ppb	No 30 ppb	Legal at any levelThis is the Federal Limit. State Limits may be lower.
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.	0.1 ppb 1.24 ppb	No	No 60 ppb
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.	53.61 ppb 99.95 ppb	No 300 ppb	No 1000 ppb
Barium (total)Barium is a mineral that enters drinking water through drilling and mining waste runoff, discharges from chemical industries and erosion of natural deposits.	52.07 ppb 52.07 ppb	No 700 ppb	No 2000 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 - 101 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, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 2,4,5-t, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-d, 2,4-db, 3-Hydroxycarbofuran, Acetochlor, Alachlor (Lasso), Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfone, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Antimony (total), Arsenic (total), Atrazine, Bentazon (Basagran), Benzene, Beryllium (total), Bromacil, Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromomethane, Butachlor, Butylate (Sutan), Cadmium (total), Carbaryl, Carbofuran, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroethane, Chromium (total), cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, cis-1,3-Dichloropropene, Cyanide, Dacthal, Diazinon (Spectracide), Dibromomethane, Dicamba, Dichloroacetic acid, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dichlorprop, Dinoseb, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide (EDB), Foaming agents (surfactants), Hexachlorobutadiene, Isopropylbenzene, m-Dichlorobenzene, m-Xylene, Mercury (total inorganic), Methiocarb, Methomyl, Metolachlor, Metribuzin, Monobromoacetic acid, Monochloroacetic acid, Monochlorobenzene (Chlorobenzene), Mtbe, n-Butylbenzene, n-Propylbenzene, Naphthalene, o-Chlorotoluene, o-Dichlorobenzene, o-Xylene, Oxamyl (Vydate), p-Chlorotoluene, p-Dichlorobenzene, p-Isopropyltoluene, p-Xylene, Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, Prometon, sec-Butylbenzene, Selenium (total), Silver (total), Simazine, Styrene, tert-Butylbenzene, Tetrahydrofuran, Thallium (total), trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,3-Dichloropropene, Trichloroacetic acid, Trichloroethylene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total)

Pollution Summary

24	Total Contaminants Detected (2004 - 2006) Aluminum, Barium (total), Copper, Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate, Chloromethane, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, Dibromoacetic acid, Total haloacetic acids (HAAs), Chloroform, Bromoform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Combined Uranium (mg/L), Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Combined Uranium (pCi/L)
1	Agricultural Pollutants (pesticides, fertilizer, factory farms) Nitrate
4	Sprawl and Urban Pollutants (road runoff, lawn pesticides, human waste) Copper, Lead (total), Nitrate, Tetrachloroethylene
16	Industrial Pollutants Aluminum, Barium (total), Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate, Chloromethane, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Combined Uranium (mg/L), Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Combined Uranium (pCi/L)
8	Water Treatment and Distribution Byproducts (pipes and fixtures, treatment chemicals and byproducts) Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Total haloacetic acids (HAAs), Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, Bromoform, Dibromoacetic acid, Chloromethane
14	Naturally Occurring (naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development) Nitrate, Copper, Barium (total), Lead (total), Manganese, Radium-228, Radium-226, Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Combined Uranium (mg/L), Aluminum, Chloromethane
3	Unregulated Contaminants EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for these contaminants Lead (total), Chloromethane, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane

EPA Violation Summary

Violation Category	Number of Violations
Monitoring (click see violations)close	53
Violation Date of Violation Failure to monitor regularly Arsenic (total) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Barium (total) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Cadmium (total) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Chromium (total) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Cyanide 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Mercury (total inorganic) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Nickel 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Sodium 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Antimony (total) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Beryllium (total) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Thallium (total) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Selenium (total) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Failure to monitor regularly Arsenic (total) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Barium (total) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Cadmium (total) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Chromium (total) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Cyanide 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Mercury (total inorganic) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Nickel 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Sodium 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Antimony (total) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Beryllium (total) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Thallium (total) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Selenium (total) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Failure to monitor regularly Arsenic (total) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Barium (total) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Cadmium (total) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Chromium (total) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Cyanide 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Mercury (total inorganic) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Nickel 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Sodium 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Antimony (total) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Beryllium (total) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Thallium (total) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Selenium (total) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Failure to monitor regularly Arsenic (total) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Barium (total) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Cadmium (total) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Chromium (total) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Cyanide 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Mercury (total inorganic) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Nickel 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Sodium 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Antimony (total) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Beryllium (total) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Thallium (total) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Failure to monitor regularly Selenium (total) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Follow-up and Routine Tap Sampling 2008/10/01 - 2025/12/31

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.