Xylenes (total)
Status: National drinking water standard exists
Xylenes are solvents used in industrial and consumer products, such as cleaning agents and paint thinners. Xylenes cause nervous system damage and may harm developing fetuses.
2015-2017:
FOUND
FOUND ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES
FOUND ABOVE LEGAL LIMIT
46
states detected
2,431
utilities detected
21 million
people served
0
states over health guideline
0
utilities over health guideline
0
people served over health guideline
0
states over legal limit
0
utilities over legal limit
0
people served over legal limit
Health concerns for xylenes
Harm to the brain and nervous system
Change to the central nervous system
Change to fetal growth and development
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 1,800 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 1,800 ppb for xylenes 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 the brain and nervous system.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 10,000 ppb
The legal limit for xylenes, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s. This limit may not fully protect against harm to the brain and nervous system due to xylene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
States reporting xylenes in drinking water
| UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Utilities | People Served | |
| Texas | 786 | 7,319,347 | |
| Arizona | 49 | 2,538,266 | |
| Wisconsin | 108 | 1,609,000 | |
| Florida | 101 | 1,254,639 | |
| California | 15 | 1,120,587 | |
| Indiana | 15 | 841,405 | |
| New Mexico | 26 | 721,874 | |
| Pennsylvania | 81 | 632,935 | |
| Colorado | 57 | 626,991 | |
| New Jersey | 35 | 417,861 | |
| Iowa | 190 | 388,165 | |
| Mississippi | 101 | 353,478 | |
| Missouri | 133 | 313,524 | |
| Minnesota | 41 | 301,956 | |
| Alabama | 32 | 299,009 | |
| Illinois | 59 | 244,822 | |
| Virginia | 80 | 227,157 | |
| North Carolina | 122 | 225,009 | |
| Ohio | 34 | 222,443 | |
| Tennessee | 13 | 178,254 | |
| Georgia | 75 | 173,573 | |
| Washington | 13 | 124,749 | |
| Idaho | 3 | 111,842 | |
| Delaware | 16 | 105,784 | |
| South Carolina | 11 | 89,424 | |
| Utah | 14 | 76,504 | |
| Kentucky | 11 | 76,496 | |
| Arkansas | 41 | 74,868 | |
| Louisiana | 16 | 73,609 | |
| Rhode Island | 4 | 54,791 | |
| Oregon | 15 | 45,498 | |
| Alaska | 29 | 41,098 | |
| Massachusetts | 5 | 35,351 | |
| Oklahoma | 14 | 28,423 | |
| West Virginia | 11 | 20,739 | |
| Kansas | 10 | 17,606 | |
| Nevada | 13 | 14,922 | |
| Maryland | 16 | 14,406 | |
| New Hampshire | 10 | 14,030 | |
| Montana | 7 | 11,127 | |
| North Dakota | 3 | 4,739 | |
| Hawaii | 2 | 4,574 | |
| Wyoming | 9 | 4,355 | |
| Maine | 2 | 3,883 | |
| Vermont | 2 | 626 | |
| New York | 1 | 125 | |
MORE
LESS
Filtering technologies that reduce xylenes
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Utilities with the highest amounts of xylenes, 2015-2017
ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite Falls Water Department | Snohomish, WA | 1 of 1 | 68.0 ppb | 3,270 |
| SNO PUD 1 - Lake Stevens* | Everett, WA | 1 of 1 | 68.0 ppb | 46,298 |
| Sudden View | Seattle, WA | 1 of 1 | 68.0 ppb | 60 |
| Mountain Falls Water System Uicn | Pahrump, NV | 1 of 3 | 60.0 ppb | 1,718 |
| Municipal Authority Sunbury | Sunbury, PA | 2 of 7 | 52.0 ppb | 11,043 |
| Grande San Jacinto Water System | Tomball, TX | 4 of 4 | 50.1 ppb | 72 |
| Corrotoman By The Bay | Warsaw, VA | 6 of 6 | 47.4 ppb | 417 |
| Cedar Valley Subdivision | Pflugerville, TX | 3 of 4 | 46.2 ppb | 182 |
| North Slope Borough - Point Lay | Barrow, AK | 2 of 3 | 46.0 ppb | 237 |
| Wagon Wheel | Londondery, NH | 2 of 5 | 41.4 ppb | 88 |
| Hawaii Volcanoes Nat.park | Hawaii National Park, HI | 5 of 5 | 38.6 ppb | 3,374 |
| Ocheyedan Water Works | Ocheyedan, IA | 1 of 1 | 37.0 ppb | 498 |
| El Dorado Utility District | Houston, TX | 1 of 5 | 35.8 ppb | 4,077 |
| City of Mount Calm | Mount Calm, TX | 2 of 3 | 34.4 ppb | 447 |
| Tonopah Public Utilities | Pahrump, NV | 1 of 5 | 34.0 ppb | 2,853 |
| Mccarley Water Association Inc. | Mccarley, MS | 1 of 1 | 31.9 ppb | 847 |
| Fontanelle Water Works | Fontanelle, IA | 2 of 2 | 28.8 ppb | 742 |
| Tuckahoe S/d | Wake Forest, NC | 7 of 9 | 25.1 ppb | 221 |
| Wayland Water Supply | Wayland, IA | 3 of 3 | 24.4 ppb | 966 |
| Triple J Mobile Home Park | Plainview, TX | 1 of 1 | 24.3 ppb | 34 |
| Ainsworth Water Works | Ainsworth, IA | 1 of 1 | 24.0 ppb | 567 |
| Welsh Mountain Home | New Holland, PA | 5 of 6 | 23.8 ppb | 53 |
| Pond Creek* | Pond Creek, OK | 1 of 1 | 23.3 ppb | 982 |
| Sw Water Inc. | Pond Creek, OK | 1 of 1 | 23.3 ppb | 200 |
| Newport Water District | Newport, ME | 1 of 3 | 23.0 ppb | 1,748 |
| Felton Water Department | Felton, DE | 3 of 3 | 22.9 ppb | 1,591 |
| North Slope Borough - Wainwright | Barrow, AK | 8 of 8 | 21.5 ppb | 600 |
| City of Weinert | Weinert, TX | 1 of 3 | 20.8 ppb | 208 |
| Macungie Borough Authority | Macungie, PA | 1 of 3 | 20.7 ppb | 3,039 |
| City of Kirby | Kirby, TX | 1 of 6 | 19.7 ppb | 9,576 |
| Brodhead Waterworks | Brodhead, WI | 2 of 7 | 19.6 ppb | 3,216 |
| Sherwood Forest Shores | Warsaw, VA | 4 of 7 | 19.3 ppb | 421 |
| City of Levelland | Levelland, TX | 3 of 9 | 19.3 ppb | 14,278 |
| Saxton Municipal Water Authority | Saxton, PA | 1 of 5 | 18.9 ppb | 1,000 |
| Harrisville W/a | Harrisville, MS | 5 of 8 | 18.9 ppb | 2,184 |
| Fort Stanton Facility | Fort Stanton, NM | 4 of 4 | 18.9 ppb | 135 |
| Lafayette, City of | Lafayette, OR | 3 of 4 | 18.5 ppb | 3,925 |
| Shady Acres Mobile Home Village | Knightdale, NC | 3 of 6 | 18.5 ppb | 115 |
| Valley Mills Crossing | Bedford, VA | 3 of 3 | 18.1 ppb | 70 |
| Northwest Harris County Municipal Utility District 23 | Bellaire, TX | 8 of 12 | 18.0 ppb | 3,528 |
| Manchester Water District | Manchester, WA | 2 of 11 | 17.9 ppb | 8,148 |
| Cedar City Waterworks | Cedar City, UT | 2 of 10 | 17.7 ppb | 31,223 |
| Williamson County Wsid 3 | Austin, TX | 8 of 24 | 16.4 ppb | 6,498 |
| Lakeside Water Control and Improvement District 2-d | Austin, TX | 8 of 24 | 16.4 ppb | 2,385 |
| Lakeside Water Control and Improvement District 2-c | Austin, TX | 8 of 24 | 16.4 ppb | 2,016 |
| Lakeside Water Control and Improvement District 2-b | Austin, TX | 8 of 24 | 16.4 ppb | 1,419 |
| Lakeside Water Control and Improvement District 1 | Austin, TX | 8 of 24 | 16.4 ppb | 1,680 |
| Kelly Lane Water Control and Improvement District 1 | Austin, TX | 8 of 24 | 16.4 ppb | 1,773 |
| Briarcreek Subdivision | Austin, TX | 8 of 24 | 16.4 ppb | 2,769 |
| Kelly Lane WCID 2 | Austin, TX | 8 of 24 | 16.4 ppb | 1,221 |
* 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 Xylenes (total), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNO PUD 1 - Lake Stevens* | Everett, WA | 1 of 1 | 68.0 ppb | 46,298 |
| Municipal Authority Sunbury | Sunbury, PA | 2 of 7 | 52.0 ppb | 11,043 |
| City of Levelland | Levelland, TX | 3 of 9 | 19.3 ppb | 14,278 |
| Cedar City Waterworks | Cedar City, UT | 2 of 10 | 17.7 ppb | 31,223 |
| Manville WSC* | Coupland, TX | 8 of 24 | 16.4 ppb | 26,253 |
| Hca Roan Filter Plant* | Hazleton, PA | 2 of 6 | 15.8 ppb | 40,620 |
| Quail Valley Utility District | Missouri, TX | 5 of 13 | 8.18 ppb | 13,317 |
| Warren Water District* | Indianola, IA | 4 of 4 | 7.58 ppb | 18,045 |
| West Sound Utility District #1 | Port Orchard, WA | 3 of 21 | 6.64 ppb | 18,790 |
| Northwest | Lakeland, FL | 2 of 8 | 6.25 ppb | 27,904 |
| City of Cleburne | Cleburne, TX | 8 of 24 | 6.14 ppb | 30,573 |
| Marinette Waterworks | Marinette, WI | 7 of 9 | 5.25 ppb | 10,968 |
| Porter SUD* | Porter, TX | 6 of 20 | 4.50 ppb | 15,892 |
| City of Kinston | Kinston, NC | 2 of 36 | 4.09 ppb | 27,475 |
| US Air Force Academy | Usaf Academy, CO | 2 of 19 | 3.85 ppb | 16,876 |
| Colorado Springs Utilities* | Colorado Springs, CO | 2 of 19 | 3.85 ppb | 418,096 |
| Fort Carson Army Base | Fort Carson, CO | 2 of 19 | 3.85 ppb | 42,000 |
| City of Kyle | Kyle, TX | 9 of 10 | 3.70 ppb | 25,443 |
| City of Bay City | Bay City, TX | 5 of 19 | 3.34 ppb | 17,614 |
| Harris County MUD 165 | Houston, TX | 4 of 13 | 3.32 ppb | 17,763 |
| City of Gulfport | Gulfport, MS | 11 of 35 | 2.58 ppb | 72,076 |
| City of Jacksonville* | Jacksonville, TX | 5 of 22 | 2.51 ppb | 14,544 |
| Greendale Waterworks | Greendale, WI | 2 of 2 | 2.45 ppb | 14,046 |
| Lake Utility Services Inc North | Clermont, FL | 7 of 26 | 2.36 ppb | 21,518 |
| City of Buda | Buda, TX | 7 of 16 | 2.30 ppb | 10,680 |
| Kingsland Water Supply Corporation | Kingsland, TX | 5 of 10 | 2.27 ppb | 10,773 |
| Larchmont Utilities | Savannah, GA | 2 of 22 | 2.04 ppb | 11,799 |
| Brodhead Creek Reg Water Authority | East Stroudsburg, PA | 1 of 8 | 1.95 ppb | 22,500 |
| City of Chandler | Chandler, AZ | 4 of 85 | 1.81 ppb | 247,328 |
| City of Wichita Falls* | Wichita Falls, TX | 1 of 6 | 1.72 ppb | 103,000 |
| Sheppard Air Force Base | Sheppard Afb, TX | 1 of 6 | 1.72 ppb | 19,500 |
| Cypress Hill Municipal Utility District 1 | Houston, TX | 2 of 7 | 1.59 ppb | 10,068 |
| Tifton-Tift County Water System* | Tifton, GA | 11 of 22 | 1.58 ppb | 26,452 |
| Huntingdon Boro Water Dept* | Huntingdon, PA | 1 of 4 | 1.54 ppb | 12,121 |
| City of Lincolnton* | Lincolnton, NC | 3 of 3 | 1.50 ppb | 10,487 |
| City of Jasper | Jasper, TX | 4 of 14 | 1.48 ppb | 10,388 |
| Havelock Water System* | Havelock, NC | 1 of 2 | 1.45 ppb | 14,246 |
| City of Surprise - Mountain Vista* | Surprise, AZ | 8 of 49 | 1.29 ppb | 31,649 |
| Lindale Rural WSC | Lindale, TX | 3 of 11 | 1.29 ppb | 12,621 |
| Spencer Municipal Water Utility | Spencer, IA | 7 of 7 | 1.27 ppb | 11,235 |
| Citrus County Utilities/Charles A. Black* | Lecanto, FL | 3 of 7 | 1.23 ppb | 20,179 |
| Camino Real Regional Utility Authority | Sunland Park, NM | 4 of 9 | 1.23 ppb | 20,881 |
| North Baldwin Utilities* | Bay Minette, AL | 6 of 17 | 1.22 ppb | 15,795 |
| Mountain Home Waterworks* | Mountain Home, AR | 2 of 6 | 1.18 ppb | 15,877 |
| SIRWA #2 (Creston)* | Creston, IA | 5 of 5 | 1.16 ppb | 18,510 |
| Bi County WSC 1* | Pittsburg, TX | 9 of 37 | 1.13 ppb | 10,884 |
| Mandeville Water Supply | Mandeville, LA | 2 of 10 | 1.04 ppb | 13,209 |
| Urbandale Water Utility | Urbandale, IA | 1 of 1 | 1.000 ppb | 39,463 |
| Hobbs Municipal Water Supply | Hobbs, NM | 1 of 10 | 0.980 ppb | 37,877 |
| Frankfort | Frankfort, IL | 4 of 8 | 0.978 ppb | 21,501 |
* 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 Xylenes (total), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.