Cadmium
Status: National drinking water standard exists
Cadmium is a toxic metal found in food and drinking water. It has been linked to kidney toxicity, bone damage, cancer, and damage to developing fetuses.
2015-2017:
FOUND
FOUND ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES
FOUND ABOVE LEGAL LIMIT
39
states detected
641
utilities detected
7.9 million
people served
38
states over health guideline
499
utilities over health guideline
4.1 million
people served over health guideline
3
states over legal limit
3
utilities over legal limit
515
people served over legal limit
Health concerns for cadmium
Cancer
Harm to the kidney
Change in behavior
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.04 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.04 ppb for cadmium was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to internal organs.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 5 ppb
The legal limit for cadmium, established in 1991, was based on research studies of cadmium toxicity conducted in the 1970s. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to cadmium exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
States reporting cadmium in drinking water
| UTILITIES REPORTING ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Utilities | People Served | Utilities | People Served | |||
| Texas | 10 | 1,723,839 | 10 | 1,723,839 | |||
| California | 61 | 194,488 | 98 | 1,664,593 | |||
| Colorado | 31 | 58,408 | 65 | 1,530,188 | |||
| Florida | 97 | 833,800 | 100 | 891,310 | |||
| Wisconsin | 59 | 475,810 | 70 | 655,859 | |||
| New Jersey | 35 | 163,933 | 69 | 540,902 | |||
| Virginia | 11 | 23,531 | 15 | 179,414 | |||
| Arkansas | 7 | 96,728 | 7 | 96,728 | |||
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 41,944 | 18 | 93,124 | |||
| Indiana | 10 | 58,267 | 10 | 58,267 | |||
| Missouri | 41 | 57,164 | 41 | 57,164 | |||
| Louisiana | 16 | 53,418 | 16 | 53,418 | |||
| Maryland | 6 | 49,713 | 6 | 49,713 | |||
| Maine | 3 | 45,490 | 3 | 45,490 | |||
| Illinois | 4 | 33,236 | 4 | 33,236 | |||
| Montana | 3 | 31,759 | 3 | 31,759 | |||
| Utah | 8 | 24,169 | 12 | 27,836 | |||
| Arizona | 7 | 20,367 | 7 | 20,367 | |||
| Kentucky | 5 | 13,744 | 6 | 18,327 | |||
| New York | 15 | 16,671 | 18 | 17,450 | |||
| South Carolina | 15 | 10,343 | 20 | 14,567 | |||
| Delaware | 1 | 8,559 | 1 | 8,559 | |||
| New Mexico | 1 | 400 | 2 | 8,232 | |||
| Massachusetts | 3 | 8,020 | 3 | 8,020 | |||
| Oklahoma | 3 | 6,588 | 3 | 6,588 | |||
| West Virginia | 3 | 4,384 | 3 | 4,384 | |||
| Ohio | 2 | 4,334 | 2 | 4,334 | |||
| Nevada | 2 | 2,386 | 2 | 2,386 | |||
| Alabama | 2 | 2,370 | 2 | 2,370 | |||
| Washington | 6 | 2,317 | 6 | 2,317 | |||
| Tennessee | 1 | 2,215 | 1 | 2,215 | |||
| South Dakota | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1,768 | |||
| Wyoming | 4 | 1,194 | 4 | 1,194 | |||
| Connecticut | 3 | 920 | 3 | 920 | |||
| Oregon | 3 | 861 | 3 | 861 | |||
| Idaho | 1 | 840 | 1 | 840 | |||
| North Carolina | 4 | 806 | 4 | 806 | |||
| Minnesota | 1 | 800 | 1 | 800 | |||
| Mississippi | 1 | 250 | 1 | 250 | |||
MORE
LESS
Filtering technologies that reduce cadmium
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Utilities with the highest amounts of cadmium, 2015-2017
ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Acres Mobile Home Park | Calabasas, OK | 1 of 1 | 13.7 ppb | 225 |
| Vista Del Toro Ws | Salinas, CA | 11 of 11 | 6.82 ppb | 87 |
| Crown King Water Company | Glendale, AZ | 16 of 22 | 6.55 ppb | 203 |
| Holton Community Water Corporation | Holton, IN | 1 of 1 | 4.30 ppb | 2,363 |
| Versailles Water Works | Versailles, IN | 1 of 1 | 4.30 ppb | 1,784 |
| Hoosier Hills Regional Water District* | Milan, IN | 1 of 1 | 4.30 ppb | 8,847 |
| Milan Water Works | Milan, IN | 1 of 1 | 4.30 ppb | 1,899 |
| Edgemere Condominium Association Inc. | East Hampton, CT | 1 of 3 | 4.00 ppb | 540 |
| Valley Springs Water Company | Coatesville, PA | 1 of 1 | 3.40 ppb | 2,500 |
| Del Oro East Plano District | Chico, CA | 1 of 1 | 3.30 ppb | 50 |
| Gold Hill Mobilehome Park | Roseville, CA | 1 of 1 | 3.20 ppb | 75 |
| Bluewater Lake Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association | Prewitt, NM | 1 of 2 | 3.00 ppb | 400 |
| Rome Water Utility | Nekoosa, WI | 1 of 1 | 3.00 ppb | 2,775 |
| York County Shelters | Alfred, ME | 1 of 1 | 3.00 ppb | 25 |
| Town of Ridgecrest Water Supply | Ridgecrest, LA | 4 of 4 | 2.95 ppb | 683 |
| Sandy Hook Water District | Sandy Hook, KY | 1 of 1 | 2.90 ppb | 3,528 |
| Desoto PWS | De Soto, MO | 12 of 13 | 2.89 ppb | 6,400 |
| Sneedville Utility District | Sneedville, TN | 1 of 1 | 2.83 ppb | 2,215 |
| Heritage Park | Fair Oaks, CA | 1 of 1 | 2.80 ppb | 40 |
| Halcyon Water System | Halcyon, CA | 1 of 1 | 2.60 ppb | 105 |
| Cal Am Water Company - Bishop | Monterey, CA | 2 of 2 | 2.50 ppb | 930 |
| Calera Canyon Heights Homeowners Association | Salinas, CA | 2 of 2 | 2.50 ppb | 39 |
| Del Oro Traver District | Coalinga, CA | 2 of 2 | 2.40 ppb | 500 |
| Greenfield Ranchettes | Gilbert, AZ | 1 of 1 | 2.30 ppb | 53 |
| Clear Meadows S/d | Mint Hill, NC | 1 of 2 | 2.10 ppb | 163 |
| Eagle Point S/d | Manning, SC | 3 of 4 | 2.06 ppb | 189 |
| Yoder Water System, Town Of | Yoder, WY | 1 of 1 | 2.00 ppb | 165 |
| Barrett Lake Mobile Home and Rv LLC | Dulzura, CA | 1 of 1 | 2.00 ppb | 150 |
| Russell Water Department | Russell, MA | 1 of 1 | 2.00 ppb | 1,228 |
| Mary Hill Park Sanitary District | Fond Du Lac, WI | 1 of 1 | 2.00 ppb | 88 |
| Yuba Waterworks | Yuba, WI | 1 of 1 | 2.00 ppb | 53 |
| Prine Drive Apartments | Tumwater, WA | 1 of 1 | 2.00 ppb | 40 |
| Navajo Water - Chaparral Pines | Denver, AZ | 1 of 2 | 1.90 ppb | 237 |
| Oaklane Mobile Village LLC | Roseville, CA | 1 of 1 | 1.80 ppb | 75 |
| H2o Inc. | Arroyo Grande, CA | 1 of 1 | 1.70 ppb | 60 |
| Clevenger Branch Members Corporation | Hollister, MO | 1 of 1 | 1.64 ppb | 150 |
| Shady Lake Water Association | North San Juan, CA | 1 of 1 | 1.60 ppb | 90 |
| Fellowship Of Friends | Oregon House, CA | 1 of 1 | 1.60 ppb | 325 |
| Sl County Service Area No. 3 - Snowbird | Riverton, UT | 5 of 8 | 1.50 ppb | 3,600 |
| Tierra Verde Mutual Water Company | Salinas, CA | 1 of 1 | 1.50 ppb | 48 |
| Park Hills PWS | Park Hills, MO | 1 of 1 | 1.50 ppb | 8,566 |
| Emil-mar Subdivision | Ocala, FL | 1 of 1 | 1.50 ppb | 270 |
| Guthries Sunshine Park | Thonotosassa, FL | 1 of 1 | 1.50 ppb | 40 |
| Eden Waterworks System | Eden, UT | 1 of 1 | 1.50 ppb | 1,500 |
| Robley Property Mws | Salinas, CA | 1 of 1 | 1.40 ppb | 80 |
| Santa Lucia Preserve Ws | Carmel, CA | 24 of 72 | 1.33 ppb | 347 |
| Bailey Place Mobile Home Park | Mulberry, FL | 1 of 1 | 1.30 ppb | 150 |
| Timberlost Mobile Home Park | Joplin, MO | 1 of 1 | 1.29 ppb | 150 |
| Lena Water Association | Lena, MS | 1 of 2 | 1.25 ppb | 250 |
| Town of Clayton Water System | Clayton, LA | 4 of 4 | 1.25 ppb | 723 |
* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Cadmium, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acton MUD* | Granbury, TX | 3 of 26 | 1.05 ppb | 19,125 |
| Troy* | Troy, MO | 1 of 4 | 0.850 ppb | 10,500 |
| City of Bartow | Bartow, FL | 2 of 3 | 0.667 ppb | 20,845 |
| North Port Utilities | North Port, FL | 1 of 3 | 0.667 ppb | 42,477 |
| Helena Water System | Helena, MT | 1 of 3 | 0.667 ppb | 31,005 |
| Diablo Water District | Oakley, CA | 1 of 3 | 0.467 ppb | 36,014 |
| Minden Water System | Minden, LA | 2 of 18 | 0.422 ppb | 16,950 |
| Loves Park | Loves Park, IL | 1 of 5 | 0.380 ppb | 22,476 |
| City of Rio Grande City* | Rio Grande City, TX | 1 of 6 | 0.350 ppb | 17,901 |
| Bordentown Water Departm* | Bordentown, NJ | 1 of 1 | 0.330 ppb | 15,821 |
| Speedway Water Works | Speedway, IN | 1 of 4 | 0.325 ppb | 11,812 |
| City of Westminster | Westminster, MD | 1 of 13 | 0.300 ppb | 35,256 |
| Greencastle Department of Water* | Greencastle, IN | 1 of 2 | 0.250 ppb | 12,699 |
| Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells WD | Kennebunk, ME | 1 of 13 | 0.231 ppb | 31,440 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1 of 1 | 0.200 ppb | 46,237 |
| Hurlburt Field AFB Water Sys. | Hurlburt Field, FL | 1 of 5 | 0.200 ppb | 10,608 |
| City of Temple Terrace Utility | Temple Terrace, FL | 2 of 2 | 0.200 ppb | 31,062 |
| Frankfort Water Works | Frankfort, IN | 1 of 2 | 0.200 ppb | 16,422 |
| Nipomo Comm. Services District | Nipomo, CA | 1 of 5 | 0.180 ppb | 10,867 |
| City of Havre De Grace* | Havre De Grace, MD | 1 of 3 | 0.167 ppb | 14,000 |
| United Water Rahway | Highland Lakes, NJ | 1 of 3 | 0.120 ppb | 27,300 |
| Monroe Twp MUA | Williamstown, NJ | 5 of 7 | 0.113 ppb | 36,100 |
| City of Livingston | Livingston, CA | 1 of 9 | 0.111 ppb | 14,894 |
| Okeechobee Utility Authority | Okeechobee, FL | 1 of 3 | 0.1000 ppb | 20,000 |
| Slippery Rock Municipal Authority | Slippery Rock, PA | 1 of 2 | 0.1000 ppb | 15,778 |
| Villages of Lake - Sumter - WTPs 1 3 & 5 | The Villages, FL | 1 of 7 | 0.1000 ppb | 24,533 |
| Indian River County Utilities | Vero Beach, FL | 1 of 2 | 0.1000 ppb | 109,286 |
| Lake Asbury WTP | Orange Park, FL | 1 of 1 | 0.1000 ppb | 10,294 |
| Sanford Water District | Sanford, ME | 3 of 55 | 0.0909 ppb | 14,025 |
| La Crosse Waterworks | La Crosse, WI | 1 of 11 | 0.0909 ppb | 53,000 |
| City of Show Low | Show Low, AZ | 7 of 9 | 0.0889 ppb | 17,139 |
| Madison Water Utility* | Madison, WI | 14 of 22 | 0.0875 ppb | 235,000 |
| Cherokee MD* | Colorado Springs, CO | 3 of 21 | 0.0862 ppb | 20,600 |
| Miramar (East & West) Plants | Miramar, FL | 2 of 6 | 0.0833 ppb | 128,729 |
| Mcguire Air Force Base | Joint Base Mdl, NJ | 2 of 6 | 0.0833 ppb | 12,227 |
| St. Johns County Utilities-Ponte Vedra | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL | 1 of 3 | 0.0667 ppb | 17,575 |
| Fillmore Water Department | Fillmore, CA | 1 of 3 | 0.0667 ppb | 15,222 |
| Dunedin Water System | Dunedin, FL | 1 of 3 | 0.0667 ppb | 40,093 |
| Green Bay Waterworks* | Green Bay, WI | 1 of 2 | 0.0600 ppb | 104,057 |
| Ashwaubenon Waterworks* | Green Bay, WI | 1 of 2 | 0.0600 ppb | 17,730 |
| San Antonio Water System* | San Antonio, TX | 1 of 58 | 0.0586 ppb | 1,663,221 |
| Glassboro Water Department* | Glassboro, NJ | 1 of 4 | 0.0575 ppb | 24,238 |
| Santa Paula Water System* | Santa Paula, CA | 7 of 29 | 0.0552 ppb | 30,048 |
| Hot Springs Utilities* | Hot Springs, AR | 1 of 12 | 0.0550 ppb | 92,010 |
| Bridgeton City Water Department | Bridgeton, NJ | 1 of 4 | 0.0500 ppb | 22,770 |
| City of Durango* | Durango, CO | 3 of 14 | 0.0429 ppb | 23,069 |
| Lee County Utilities* | Fort Myers, FL | 1 of 7 | 0.0429 ppb | 236,944 |
| Ridgewood Water | Ridgewood, NJ | 8 of 175 | 0.0367 ppb | 61,700 |
| Germantown Water Utility | Germantown, WI | 2 of 6 | 0.0350 ppb | 20,027 |
| Highridge Water Authority | Blairsville, PA | 1 of 6 | 0.0333 ppb | 12,000 |
* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Cadmium, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.