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Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant. Chromium (hexavalent) is a metal from steel and pulp mill pollution; erosion of natural deposits. Potential health impacts associated with Chromium (hexavalent) include cancer and respiratory toxicity. [read more] Sources of Chromium (hexavalent):  | Industry |  | Naturally Occurring (naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development) |
An Environmental Working Group analysis of Chromium (hexavalent) tests reported by 1,111 public water suppliers in 3 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 33.4 million people in 519 communities drank water contaminated with Chromium (hexavalent). Exposure Summary 33,394,293 | People drinking water contaminated with Chromium (hexavalent) | 519 | Communities served water contaminated with Chromium (hexavalent) |
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Table. Chromium (hexavalent) Exposure by State33.4 million Americans in 1 states were served tap water contaminated with Chromium (hexavalent) between 1998 and 2003. | State | Water suppliers with Chromium (hexavalent) contamination |
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| Systems | Population |
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| California | 519 | 33,394,293 | | Total | 519 | 33,394,293 |
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Table. The most polluted communities33.4 million Americans in 519 communities were served tap water contaminated with Chromium (hexavalent) between 1998 and 2003 Ranked by highest average Chromium (hexavalent) level | Rank | System
| Population Served
| Positive test results of total reported tests
| Average Level
(Range) |
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| 1 | Yolo Co Housing Authority
Woodland, CA | 430 | 1 of 1 | 25 ppb
(25 to 25 ppb) | | 2 | Woodstock Property Owners Association
Santa Ynez, CA | 350 | 5 of 5 | 22.88 ppb
(8.4 to 45 ppb) | | 3 | Coachella Vwd: Thermal
Coachella, CA | 690 | 3 of 3 | 21 ppb
(19 to 23 ppb) | | 4 | City of Los Banos Water
Los Banos, CA | 27,503 | 7 of 7 | 20.09 ppb
(18 to 23 ppb) | | 5 | Golden Meadows Csd
Red Bluff, CA | 25 | 2 of 2 | 19 ppb
(19 to 19 ppb) | | 6 | Dixon - Solano Mws
Vacaville, CA | 6,575 | 6 of 6 | 18.43 ppb
(14.9 to 23.5 ppb) | | 7 | Santa Ynez Rancho Estates Mwc
Santa Ynez, CA | 294 | 1 of 1 | 18 ppb
(18 to 18 ppb) | | 8 | Oak Trail Ranch Mutual Water
Buellton, CA | 105 | 4 of 4 | 17 ppb
(16 to 20 ppb) | | 9 | Santa Ynez River Water Conservation Dist
Santa Ynez, CA | 8,298 | 3 of 3 | 16.63 ppb
(1.9 to 27 ppb) | | 10 | Rancho Ynecita Mutual Water Company
Buellton, CA | 126 | 1 of 1 | 16 ppb
(16 to 16 ppb) |
Next --> Health based limits for Chromium (hexavalent)
| Health Limit | Limit Value | Limit Description |
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| Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) | 100 ppb | The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | Testing Summary for Chromium (hexavalent) Water suppliers report an average of 0.7 Chromium (hexavalent) tests per year. 38,640 water suppliers failed to report
any Chromium (hexavalent) tests at all. | Are tests routinely required for Chromium (hexavalent) by federal law? | Yes | | Water suppliers reporting tests for Chromium (hexavalent) (1998-2003): | 1,111 of 39,751 | | Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003): | 0.7 per year |
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Chromium (hexavalent) Violations Table. < 0.1 percent of all water suppliers violated safe drinking water standards for Chromium (hexavalent) between 1998 and 2003 | Violation Type | Violations | Systems |
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